# English

/ˈɪŋɡɫɪʃ/ (US) · /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/english
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the language that people speak in countries like the UK, the US, and Australia. It is also used as a common language for business and travel around the world.

For teachers: a West Germanic language that originated in early medieval England and is now the global lingua franca. When referring to the language or the people of England, it is always capitalised.

## Examples

- She is learning English to help her get a better job.
- Most international flights use English as the primary language for communication between pilots and air traffic control.
- While modern English has evolved significantly from its Anglo-Saxon roots, it retains a core Germanic structure despite the heavy influence of French and Latin vocabulary following the Norman Conquest.

## Usage notes

- Always capitalised. When referring to the people of England collectively, it is used with the definite article ('the English') and takes a plural verb.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.