Words Starting with "T"

A renowned English-language poet born as Thomas Stearns Eliot (1888–1965). The name is traditionally pronounced as two distinct parts: “T. S. Eliot” with a final syllable that rhymes with “ Eliot,” reflecting the poet’s surname, Eliot, of Greek-origin spelling. The reference usage often appears in academic contexts, literary criticism, and bibliographic citations.

A noun referring to a short-sleeved top, typically made of cotton or a blend, worn as casual clothing. The term combines the letters and sounds of 'tee' and 'shirt,' and is widely used in everyday fashion talk, branding, and retail. It denotes a specific garment and is often used in pairing phrases like 'graphic T-shirt' or 'colorful T-shirt.'

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It is a professional field and credential for teaching English to non-native speakers, encompassing training, pedagogy, and accreditation. In practice, TESOL courses equip you with methods, assessment tools, and cultural awareness to teach effectively across diverse linguistic backgrounds.

THC is a noun referring to tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. In medical or cultural discussions, THC denotes the active ingredient responsible for many cannabis effects; it is commonly abbreviated and used in scientific, legal, and everyday contexts. It is pronounced as an initialism, with each letter enunciated, and may appear in phrases like 'THC levels' or 'THC content.'

TOEFL is a standardized English-language proficiency test for non-native speakers. It functions as a credential for admission to English-speaking universities and programs, typically administered in academic contexts. The term often appears in conversations about study abroad, visas, and admissions, and is used as a shorthand for the test name and its scores.

TRUE (noun): a state or assertion that corresponds to fact or reality. In everyday use it denotes something factual, genuine, or correct, often contrasting with falsehoods. In specialized contexts, it can refer to truth in logic, mathematics, or relationships, underscoring accuracy, validity, and reliability.

TSLA operates as a verb meaning to summarize or consolidate information quickly for strategic analysis, often in a high-stakes or professional setting. It conveys a rapid synthesis or short, decisive action taken on data. In practice, you’d TSLA a report to extract key insights and present them succinctly.

Tabasco is a noun referring to a brand of hot pepper sauce, as well as the region in Mexico where chili peppers are grown. It can also denote the sauce itself used to flavor foods. The term is commonly used in culinary contexts and in brand or regional discussions, often cited with product names or origin notes.

Tabbouleh is a traditional Levantine salad made primarily from parsley, mint, bulgur, tomatoes, onions, and lemon juice. It emphasizes fresh herbs and bright citrus, with a light, refreshing flavor profile. In culinary contexts, it’s often served as part of meze or alongside grilled dishes, showcasing vibrant green color and zesty aroma.

Tabebuia is a genus of tropical flowering trees and shrubs in the Bignoniaceae family, notable for vibrant blossoms and timber. In botanical and horticultural contexts, the term refers to several species native to the Americas. As a proper noun used in scientific naming and common parlance, it often appears in gardening, forestry, and plant encyclopedia discussions.

Table d'hôte is a multi-course, fixed-price meal offered at a set table in a restaurant or hotel. It is typically contrasted with a à la carte menu and emphasizes efficiency and value. The term originates from French and is commonly used in English-speaking dining contexts to describe the bundled meal option.

Tableau vivant is a noun describing a living tableau or living picture in which performers pose motionlessly to resemble a painting or photograph. The term comes from French, used in fine arts and theater to denote staged scenes; it emphasizes visual composition and silent, static presentation rather than action. The concept blends art, performance, and illusion, often linked to cabaret, dance, or avant-garde visuals.

Tableaux Vivants is a French term used for living pictures—posed scenes where models mimic a scene or story. It’s commonly used in museum exhibitions and theater contexts to describe static, tableau-like performances. In English discourse it is treated as a proper noun, often capitalized and spoken with a French pronunciation influence.

Tablet is a handheld, flat electronic device with a touchscreen display, typically larger than a phone but smaller than a laptop, used for computing, reading, and media consumption. It can also refer to a small, flat medicinal pill forms. In everyday use, it denotes consumer electronics rather than a medical tablet, though context can vary.

A taboo is a social or cultural prohibition against a certain practice, topic, or behavior that is forbidden by a group’s norms. It can also refer to an issue or word considered inappropriate or sacred, requiring careful handling or avoidance in conversation. Taboo topics often provoke strong reactions and vary across cultures and contexts.

Tabor is a proper noun used as a name for places and people, and historically refers to a mountain or hill in biblical and medieval contexts. In English, it typically functions as a two-syllable word with primary stress on the first syllable, and is pronounced with a clear long “a” and a light, unstressed second syllable. It is not a common everyday noun beyond specific historical, religious, or geographic contexts.

Tachycardia is a medical term describing an unusually fast heartbeat, typically defined as a resting heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute. It’s used in clinical contexts to distinguish from normal variations in heart rate due to activity, stress, or fever. The word is primarily used by healthcare professionals and patients seeking precise cardiovascular terminology.

Taciturn is an adjective describing a person who is quiet, reserved, and inclined to say little. It characteristically conveys a demeanor of restrained speech, often deliberate and laconic, rather than shy or anxious. In usage, it contrasts with talkative or loquacious behavior, and can carry a slightly formal or literary tone.

Tacitus is a proper noun referring to the ancient Roman historian known for his concise, often austere Latin prose. In modern usage, the name is pronounced with Latin-derived vowels and a clear syllable cadence, typically referring to the author or works attributed to him. The pronunciation emphasizes the second syllable and preserves a hard 'c' and 't' sound, yielding a measured, scholarly rhythm suitable for academic discussion.

Taco is a handheld Mexican dish consisting of a tortilla folded around fillings such as meat, cheese, beans, and vegetables. Used both as a food item and in casual speech, it often functions as a count noun or mass noun in American English. Its pronunciation features a stressed initial syllable and a clear, short second syllable, typical of loanwords integrated into English.

A playful, multi-word term used as a verb phrase to describe adopting or attempting a bold, fast-food-style approach—often with a humorous nod to the known Taco Bell Mexican Pizza item. It conveys a rapid, casual act of assembling or ordering in a Taco Bell-inspired way, sometimes implying improvisation or casual transformation of a meal into a quick, snackable form.

Tacos is a plural noun referring to small, folded tortillas filled with ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and salsa. In everyday use, it designates the dish and the individual servings, commonly enjoyed as a casual meal or snack. The word is widespread in English-speaking contexts and often appears in menus, food writing, and conversation about Mexican cuisine.

Tacrolimus is a potent immunosuppressant medication used to prevent organ rejection after transplantation. It binds to the protein FKBP-12 to inhibit calcineurin, reducing T-cell activity. Clinically, it requires careful dosing and monitoring due to narrow therapeutic range and potential nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity.

Tactics is the planning or method behind achieving a specific goal, often used in military, sports, business, or problem-solving contexts. It denotes the strategic steps taken to gain an advantage rather than the broader strategy itself. As a noun in plural form, it refers to multiple planned actions or maneuvers.