Study > 4-letter Words


The 4 letter words with definitions, separated alphabetically.

Now updated for CSW24. New words, if any, and new inflections of existing words, are shown in red.

daalthe pigeon pea, a pealike plant cultivated in India and the tropics.
dabs(Pl.) DAB, a kind of flatfish.
daceA small river fish of the carp family and chub genus > DACES.
dack(Aust. sl.) to remove the trousers from, debag > DACKS, DACKING, DACKED.
dadaAn artistic movement > DADAS.
dadoA skirting-board > DADOS or DADOES. (Verb) to fit with a dado > DADOS, DADOING, DADOED.
dads(3rd.) DAD, to throw against something, to dash.
daes(3rd.) DAE, to do.
daff(Arch.) to play the fool > DAFFS, DAFFING, DAFFED.
daftInsane > DAFTER, DAFTEST; DAFTLY.
dags(Pl.) DAG, to cut off a sheep's dags.
dahl(Hindi) an Indian name for a lentil > DAHLS. Also DAL, DHOLL, DHAL.
dahs(Pl.) DAH, a Burmese knife.
dais(Fr.) a platform > DAISES.
daks(Pl.) DAK, in India, the mail or post.
daleA valley > DALES.
daliA tropical American tree related to nutmeg, yielding staves etc. and wax seeds > DALIS.
dals(Pl.) DAL, a kind of Indian edible pea.
dalt(Scots) a foster-child > DALTS. Also DAULT.
dameA matron > DAMES.
damnTo curse > DAMNS, DAMNING, DAMNED.
dampMoist > DAMPER, DAMPEST; DAMPLY; (verb) to lessen in intensity > DAMPS, DAMPING, DAMPED.
dams(3rd.) DAM, to restrain water with an embankment or bank.
dangTo damn > DANGS, DANGING, DANGED.
dankDamp > DANKER, DANKEST; DANKLY; (noun) in Milton, a wet place > DANKS.
dans(Pl.) DAN, a level of efficiency (in Japanese sport).
dant(Obs.) to daunt > DANTS, DANTING, DANTED.
daps(3rd.) DAP, to skip or bounce, as a stone off the surface of a lake.
darbSomething considered extraordinary > DARBS.
dareTo have the necessary courage > DARES, DARING, DARED or DURST.
dargA day's labour > DARGS.
dari(Arabic) Indian millet > DARIS. Also DURR, DOURA, DURA, DURRA, DHOORA, DHURRA, DHOURRA, DOURAH.
darkNot light in colour > DARKER, DARKEST; DARKLY; (verb) to darken > DARKS, DARKING, DARKED.
darnTo mend with interlacing stitches > DARNS, DARNING, DARNED.
dartTo move suddenly or swiftly > DARTS, DARTING, DARTED.
dashTo strike violently > DASHES, DASHING, DASHED.
data(Pl.) DATUM, a given fact.
dateTo determine or record the date of > DATES, DATING, DATED.
dato(Malay) a landowner or chief in northern Borneo, the Philippines, and some adjacent areas > DATOS. [Malay datok, elder]. Also DATTO.
daubTo smear > DAUBS, DAUBING, DAUBED.
daud(Scots) to knock, thump > DAUDS, DAUDING, DAUDED. Also DAWD, DOD.
daur(Scots) to dare > DAURS, DAURING, DAURED.
daut(Scots) to pet > DAUTS, DAUTING, DAUTED. Also DAWT.
davyA safety lamp > DAVIES.
dawd(Scots) to knock, thump > DAWDS, DAWDING, DAWDED. Also DAUD, DOD.
dawk(Hindi) in India, the mail or post; a letter > DAWKS. [Hindi dak, a relay of men]. Also DAK.
dawnDaybreak; (verb) to become day > DAWNS, DAWNING, DAWNED.
daws(Pl.) DAW, a kind of bird.
dawt(Scots) to pet > DAWTS, DAWTING, DAWTED. Also DAUT.
days(Pl.) DAY, a period of twenty four hours.
dazeTo stun > DAZES, DAZING, DAZED.
deadNot alive > DEADER, DEADEST; (verb, obs.) to lose vitality, become numb > DEADS, DEADING, DEADED.
deafLacking the sense of hearing > DEAFER, DEAFEST; DEAFLY.
dealTo trade or do business > DEALS, DEALING, DEALT.
dean(Verb) to serve as a dean > DEANS, DEANING, DEANED.
dearPrecious > DEARER, DEAREST; DEARLY; (verb) to injure > DEARS, DEARING, DEARED.
deaw(Spenser) dew > DEAWS.
debe(Swahili) a tin > DEBES.
debs(Pl.) DEB, debutante.
debtSomething that is owed > DEBTS, DEBTED.
deckTo adorn > DECKS, DECKING, DECKED.
deco(Relating to) art deco > DECOS.
deed1. (verb) to transfer (property) > DEEDS, DEEDING, DEEDED. 2. (Scots) dead > DEEDER, DEEDEST.
deek(Romany) look at, see. [Romany dik, to look, see].
deemTo hold as an opinion > DEEMS, DEEMING, DEEMED or DEMPT.
deen(Spenser) din > DEENS.
deepFar down > DEEPER, DEEPEST; DEEPLY; (noun) a deep place > DEEPS.
deerA ruminant mammal > DEERS.
dees(Pl.) DEE, the letter D; anything of that shape.
deetAn insect repellant > DEETS.
deev(Persian) in Iranian (esp. Zoroastrian) mythology > a demonic power > DEEVS. Also DIV.
defi(Fr.) a challenge > DEFIS.
defoDefinitely, as an informal expression of agreement.
deftSkilful > DEFTER, DEFTEST; DEFTLY.
defyTo resist openly and boldly > DEFIES, DEFYING, DEFIED.
degs(3rd.) DEG, to water.
deguthe brush-tailed rat, a small rodent native to Chile > DEGUS.
deid(Scots) dead > DEIDER, DEIDEST. Also DEED.
deif(Scots) deaf > DEIFER, DEIFEST.
deil(Scots) devil > DEILS.
dekeTo fake (an opponent) out of position (as in ice hockey) > DEKES, DEKING or DEKEING, DEKED. [A short form of 'decoy'].
deleIn printing, to delete > DELES, DELEING, DELED.
delfPottery made at the city of Delft in Holland > DELFS or DELVES. Also DELFT, DELFTWARE, DELPH.
deli(Abbr.) DELICATESSEN > DELIS.
dellA small, retired valley; a ravine > DELLS.
delo(Aust. sl.) a delegate > DELOS.
dels(Pl.) DEL, another word for NABLA, a mathematical symbol.
delt(Coll.) short for deltoid muscle > DELTS.
deme(Greek) a territorial subdivision of Attica (also of modern Greece), corresponding to a township > DEMES. [Gk demos].
demo(Abbr.) demonstration; (verb) to demonstrates > DEMOS, DEMOING, DEMOED.
demyAn old size of paper, roughly A2 > DEMIES.
deneA sandy tract or dune by the seashore > DENES.
deniOne hundredth part of a DENAR > DENIS.
dens(3rd.) DEN, to retire to a den.
dentTo make a depression in > DENTS, DENTING, DENTED.
denyTo declare to be untrue > DENIES, DENYING, DENIED.
deps(Pl.) DEP, a convenience store.
dere(Spenser) to injure > DERES, DERING, DERED.
dermThe true skin, below the outer layer > DERMS. Also DERMA, DERMIS.
dern(Arch.) secrecy, hiding > DERNS.
dero(Coll.) a tramp or derelict > DEROS. Also DERRO.
derp(n) a foolish or ignorant person.
dervDiesel engine fuel > DERVS. [Acronym of diesel-engined road vehicle].
desi(Hinglish) local, authentic. Also DESHI.
deskA writing table > DESKS.
deus(Lat.) a god > DI or DEI.
deva(Sanskrit) a god; a deity; a divine being > DEVAS.
devi(Sanskrit) a Hindu goddess > DEVIS.
devo(Short for) devolution, as in devo max, an arrangement in which a central government transfers the maximum amount of authority to a regional government while still retaining sovereignty over it > DEVOS.
devs(Pl.) DEV, a Hindu god.
dews(3rd.) DEW, to moisten as with dew.
dewyMoist with dew > DEWIER, DEWIEST; DEWILY.
dexyA tablet of DEX, a sulfate used as a stimulant > DEXIES. Also DEXIE.
deys(Pl.) DEY, the pasha of Algiers.
dhak(Hindi) a leguminous tree of eastern India and Myanmar, with showy orange or red flowers > DHAKS.
dhal(Hindi) an Indian name for a lentil > DHALS. Also DAL, DAHL, DHOLL.
dhol(Hindi) a large cylindrical drum used in Indian music > DHOLS.
dhow(Arabic) a lateen-rigged oriental craft > DHOWS.
dial(Verb) to dial e.g. a telephone > DIALS, DIALING or DIALLING, DIALED or DIALLED.
dibs(Sl.) money. Also DIBBS.
dice(Verb) to cut into cubes > DICES, DICING, DICED.
dich(Shakesp.) optative mood, perhaps contracted for 'do it.'.
dick(Verb) as in 'to dick around'; vulgar slang (of a man) have sexual intercourse with (someone) > DICKS, DICKING, DICKED.
dict(Obs.) to dictate > DICTS, DICTING, DICTED.
didoAn antic, caper > DIDOS or DIDOES.
didyA diaper > DIDIES. Also DIDIE.
dieb(Arabic) a jackal of N. Africa > DIEBS.
died(Pt.) DIE, to depart from life.
dielInvolving a full day.
dies(3rd.) DIE, to depart from life.
dietTo regulate one's daily sustenance > DIETS, DIETING, DIETED.
diff(Coll.) difference > DIFFS. Also DIF.
difs(Pl.) DIF, difference.
digs(3rd.) DIG, to excavate.
dika(Mpongwe) (the fruit or seed of) the wild mango, a W. African tree > DIKAS. [Mpongwe odika condiment.]
dike(Verb) to make a dike > DIKES, DIKING, DIKED.
dillAn umbelliferous herb related to parsnip, the fruits of which are used in condiments and as a carminative > DILLS, DILLED.
dimeThe tenth part of an American and Canadian dollar, 10 cents > DIMES.
dimp(Sl.) a cigarette butt > DIMPS.
dims(3rd.) DIM, to make dim.
dineTo eat dinner > DINES, DINING, DINED.
dingTo dash; to throw violently > DINGS, DINGING, DINGED, DANG or DUNG.
dinkTrim; neat > DINKER, DINKEST; DINKLY; (noun) in tennis, a drop shot; (verb) to play such a shot > DINKS, DINKING, DINKED.
dino(Abbr.) a dinosaur > DINOS.
dins(3rd.) DIN, to make a loud noise.
dintTo make a dent in > DINTS, DINTING, DINTED.
diolA chemical compound > DIOLS.
dips(3rd.) DIP, to immerse briefly; to lower.
dipt(Pt.) DIP, to immerse briefly; to lower.
direDreadful > DIRER, DIREST; DIRELY.
dirkA Highland dagger; (verb) to stab with a dirk > DIRKS, DIRKING, DIRKED.
dirl(Scots) to (cause to) vibrate > DIRLS, DIRLING, DIRLED.
dirt(Verb) to make dirty > DIRTS, DIRTING, DIRTED.
disaAn African orchid, with dark green leaves > DISAS.
disc(Verb) to work with a disc harrow > DISCS, DISCING, DISCED. Also DISK.
dishTo put into a dish (a concave vessel) > DISHES, DISHING, DISHED.
disk(Verb) to break up land with a disc harrow > DISKS, DISKING, DISKED.
diss(Noun) an Algerian grass; (verb) to disrespect > DISSES, DISSING, DISSED. Also DIS.
dita(Tagalog) a tree of India and the Philippines > DITAS.
diteTo compose, indite > DITES, DITING, DITED.
dits(3rd.) DIT, to block.
dittA poem, the words of a song > DITTS. Also DIT.
ditzA silly person > DITZES.
diva(Ital.) a female opera singer > DIVAS.
diveTo plunge headfirst into > DIVES, DIVING, DIVED or DOVE.
divi(Abbr.) dividend > DIVIS.
divo(Ital.) a distinguished male singer > DIVI or DIVOS.
divs(Pl.) DIV, a demonic power.
dixi(Lat.) I have spoken. Cf. DIXIT.
dixy(Hindi) a military cooking-pot > DIXIES. Also DIXIE.
diya(Hindi) a small oil-lamp used in Hindu worship, especially at Diwali.
djin(Arabic) one of a class of spirits in Muslim theology > DJINS. Also JIN, JINNEE, DJINNI, GENIE.
doab(Urdu) a tongue or tract of land included between two rivers; as, the doab between the Ganges and the Jumna > DOABS. [Persian do-ab, two waters].
doatTo dote > DOATS, DOATING, DOATED.
dobean unburned, sun-dried brick made of clay and straw > DOBES.
dobs(3rd.) DOB, to inform on or betray.
dobyAn adobe, a sun-dried brick > DOBIES. Also DOBIE.
dockTo bring into a dock (a wharf) > DOCKS, DOCKING, DOCKED.
doco(Aust. sl.) a documentary > DOCOS.
docs(Pl.) DOC, doctor.
docu(Coll.) a documentary film > DOCUS.
dodo(Portuguese) an extinct bird of Madagascar > DODOES or DODOS. [Port. doudo, silly].
dods(3rd.) DOD, to cut the hair of.
doek(Afrikaans) a square cloth for tying round the head, worn by African women > DOEKS.
doen(Spenser) 3rd pers. pl. DO.
doerOne that does something > DOERS.
does(3rd.) DO, to perform.
doffTo do off, strip > DOFFS, DOFFING, DOFFED.
doge(Ital.) the former title of the chief magistrate in Venice > DOGES.
dogs(3rd.) DOG, to follow like a dog.
dogyA motherless calf > DOGIES. Also DOGEY, DOGIE.
dohs(Pl.) DOH, a musical note.
doit(Dutch) an old Dutch coin of little value > DOITS. 'And take no doit/Of usance for my monies' (M.O.V.). Also DUIT, DOITKIN, DODKIN.
dojo(Japanese) a martial arts school > DOJOS.
dole1. pain, woe, trouble > DOLES. Also DOOL, DOOLE, DULE.
doll(Verb) to dress stylishly > DOLLS, DOLLING, DOLLED.
dols(Pl.) DOL, a unit of intensity of pain.
doltA heavy, stupid fellow > DOLTS.
dome(Verb) to cover with a dome > DOMES, DOMING, DOMED.
doms(Pl.) DOM, a title given to certain monks.
domyDome-like, having domes > DOMIER, DOMIEST.
dona(Spanish) feminine of DON, the title > DONAS. Also DONAH.
done(Pt.) DO, to perform.
dongA deep sound like that of a large bell; (verb) to make this sound > DONGS, DONGING, DONGED.
dons(3rd.) DON, to put on.
doob(Hindi) dog's tooth grass, prized as food for cattle > DOOBS.
dook(Scots) to duck, bathe > DOOKS, DOOKING, DOOKED. Also DOUK.
doolPain, woe, trouble > DOOLS. Also DOLE, DOOLE, DULE.
doomTo destine to an unhappy fate > DOOMS, DOOMING, DOOMED.
doon(Scots) down. Also DOUN.
doorA hinged or sliding panel for closing the entrance to a room, cupboard, etc > DOORS.
doos(Pl.) DOO, dove, pigeon.
dopaA drug to treat Parkinson's disease > DOPAS.
dopeTo give a narcotic to > DOPES, DOPING, DOPED.
dops(3rd.) DOP, to dip.
dopyFoolish > DOPIER, DOPIEST; DOPILY. Also DOPEY.
dorb(Aust. sl.) a stupid or inept person > DORBS. Also DORBA.
dore(Fr.) gilded (the e has an accent).
dorkAn idiot, an object of contempt; the penis > DORKS.
dorm(Abbr.) dormitory > DORMS.
dorp(Afrikaans) a S. African village or small town > DORPS.
dorr(Noun) a kind of dung-beetle. Also DOR, DORBUG. (Verb) to mock, scoff > DORRS, DORRING, DORRED.
dors(Pl.) DOR, a dung-beetle.
dort(Scots) to sulk > DORTS, DORTING, DORTED.
doryA golden-yellow fish of the mackerel family > DORIES. Also DOREE.
dosa(Hindi) an Indian pancake made from rice flour > DOSAI or DOSAS.
doseTo give a specified quantity of medicine to > DOSES, DOSING, DOSED.
dosh(Sl.) money > DOSHES.
dossTo sleep or bed down, esp. at a common lodging-house or in improvised accommodation > DOSSES, DOSSING, DOSSED.
dost(Arch.) 2nd. pers. sing. DO.
doteTo show excessive affection > DOTES, DOTING, DOTED.
doth(Arch.) 3rd pers. sing. DO. Also DOETH.
dots(3rd.) DOT, to cover with dots.
dotyHalf-rotten; as, DOTY timber > DOTIER, DOTIEST.
doucA kind of monkey, remarkable for its varied and brilliant colors, native to Cochin China > DOUCS.
doukTo dip, plunge > DOUKS, DOUKING, DOUKED. Also DOOK.
doum(Arabic) a kind of African palm tree > DOUMS.
doun(Scots) down. Also DOON.
doup(Scots) the bottom of anything > DOUPS. Also DOWP.
dourDetermined, sullen > DOURER, DOUREST; DOURLY.
dout(Scots) to put out, extinguish > DOUTS, DOUTING, DOUTED.
doux(Fr.) of champagne, very sweet.
dove(Scots) to doze > DOVES, DOVING, DOVED. Also DOVER.
dowdA woman who wears dull-looking clothes > DOWDS.
dowf(Scots) dull, heavy, spiritless. No comp!
dowl(Shakesp.) a portion of down in a feather; a piece of fluff > DOWLS. Also DOWLE.
downTo cause to fall > DOWNS, DOWNING, DOWNED.
dowp(Scots) the bottom of anything > DOWPS. Also DOUP.
dows(Pl.) DOW, an Arab sailing vessel.
dowt(Scots) a cigarette end > DOWTS.
doxx(v) to publish personal information about someone on the internet (also DOX).
doxyA woman of loose morals, a prostitute > DOXIES. Also DOXIE.
doys(Pl.) DOY, beloved.
dozeTo sleep lightly > DOZES, DOZING, DOZED.
dozySleepy > DOZIER, DOZIEST; DOZILY.
drab(Noun) a harlot; (verb) to whore > DRABS, DRABBING, DRABBED; (adj.) dull, monotonous > DRABBER, DRABBEST; DRABLY.
drac(Aust. sl.) of a woman, unattractive. Also DRACK.
drad(Spenser) pt. of DREAD.
dragTo pull along the ground > DRAGS, DRAGGING, DRAGGED.
dram1/8 oz. of whisky; (verb) to drink a dram > DRAMS, DRAMMING, DRAMMED.
drap(Scots) to drop > DRAPS, DRAPPING, DRAPPED.
dratTo damn > DRATS, DRATTING, DRATTED.
drawTo move by pulling > DRAWS, DRAWING, DREW, DRAWN.
drayA low heavy cart used for haulage; (verb) to transport by this > DRAYS, DRAYING, DRAYED.
dree(Scots) to suffer, endure > DREES, DREEING, DREED.
dregA residue; usu. in plural > DREGS.
drek(Yiddish) inferior merchandise, rubbish > DREKS. Also DRECK.
drew(Pt.) DRAW, to move by pulling.
dreyA squirrel's nest > DREYS.
dribTo do by little and little > DRIBS, DRIBBING, DRIBBED.
dripTo fall in drops > DRIPS, DRIPPING, DRIPPED or DRIPT.
dropTo let fall > DROPS, DROPPING, DROPPED or DROPT.
drow(Scots) wet mist > DROWS.
drubTo beat > DRUBS, DRUBBING, DRUBBED.
drugTo affect with a drug (a medicinal substance) > DRUGS, DRUGGING, DRUGGED.
drumA percussion instrument, a skin stretched on a frame; (verb) to play a drum, make a sound like a drum > DRUMS, DRUMMING, DRUMMED.
drys(Pl.) DRY in political sense > a right-winger.
dsos(Pl.) DSO, a yak.
duadTwo units treated as one; a couple; a pair > DUADS. Also DYAD.
dualTwofold > DUALLY; (verb) to make a road into a dual carriageway > DUALS, DUALLING, DUALLED.
duan(Gaelic) a division of a poem corresponding to a canto; a poem or song > DUANS.
duar(Arabic) a circular Arab encampment > DUARS. Also DOUAR, DOWAR.
dubs(3rd.) DUB, to add sound effects, etc.
duce(Ital.) a leader > DUCI or DUCES.
duci(Pl.) DUCE, a leader.
duckTo lower quickly > DUCKS, DUCKING, DUCKED.
duct(Verb) to transport along a duct > DUCTS, DUCTING, DUCTED.
dude(Verb) to dress flashily > DUDES, DUDING, DUDED.
duds(Coll.) clothes.
dued(Pt.) DUE, to endue.
duel(Verb) to fight a duel > DUELS, DUELING or DUELLING, DUELED or DUELLED.
dues(Pl.) DUE, to endue.
duetA composition for two; (verb) to take part in playing a composition for two > DUETS, DUETING or DUETTING, DUETED or DUETTED. Also DUETT, DUETTO.
duff(Verb) to bungle; to mishit a ball in golf > DUFFS, DUFFING, DUFFED.
dugs(Pl.) DUG, a nipple of an animal.
duit(Dutch) a former Dutch coin > DUITS. Also DOIT, DODKIN, DOITKIN.
duka(Swahili) in E. Africa, a shop, store > DUKAS.
duke(Verb) to play the duke; to fight with the fists > DUKES, DUKING, DUKED.
dulePain, woe, trouble > DULES. Also DOLE, DOOLE, DOOL.
dullNot sharp > DULLER, DULLEST; DULLY; (verb) to make dull > DULLS, DULLING, DULLED.
duly(Adv.) DUE, required.
duma(Russian) the Russian parliament > DUMAS. Also DOUMA.
dumbStupid > DUMBER, DUMBEST; DUMBLY; (verb) to make dumb > DUMBS, DUMBING, DUMBED.
dumpTo let fall heavily > DUMPS, DUMPING, DUMPED.
duneA hill of sand > DUNES.
dung(Verb) to spread with dung > DUNGS, DUNGING, DUNGED.
dunkTo dip into liquid > DUNKS, DUNKING, DUNKED.
duns(3rd.) DUN, to press for payment.
duntTo strike with a heavy blow > DUNTS, DUNTING, DUNTED.
duos(Pl.) DUO, two of anything.
dupeTo deceive > DUPES, DUPING, DUPED.
dups(3rd.) DUP, to undo, do up.
dura(Arabic) Indian millet > DURAS. Also DHOORA, DURR, DURRA, DOURA, DHURRA, DHOURRA, DARI, DOURAH.
dureTo endure, last > DURES, DURING, DURED.
durnTo damn > DURNS, DURNING, DURNED.
duro(Spanish) a Spanish silver dollar > DUROS.
durr(Arabic) Indian millet > DURRS. Also DURRA, DHOORA, DOURA, DOURAH, DURA, DHURRA, DARI, DHOORA.
dush(Scots) to strike heavily against > DUSHES, DUSHING, DUSHED.
duskDark, twilit > DUSKER, DUSKEST; DUSKLY; (verb) to become dusk > DUSKS, DUSKING, DUSKED.
dustTo make free of dust (minute particles of matter) > DUSTS, DUSTING, DUSTED.
dutyA moral or legal obligation > DUTIES, DUTIED.
dwam(Scots) a swoon, a sudden sickness; (verb) to swoon > DWAMS, DWAMMING, DWAMMED. Also DWALM, DWAUM.
dyadTwo units treated as one; a couple; a pair > DYADS. Also DUAD.
dyed(Pt.) DYE, to stain.
dyerOne who dyes > DYERS.
dyes(3rd.) DYE, to stain.
dyke(Verb) to build a dyke > DYKES, DYKING, DYKED.
dyneA unit of force > the force required to accelerate 1 gram to 1 cm per second per second > DYNES.
dzho(Tibetan) a kind of yak > DZHOS. Also ZHO, ZO, DSO, DZO.
dzos(Pl.) DZO, a yak.