DE

abbreviation Simple Definition A Simple Definition is available from our Learner's Dictionary to help you understand the meaning faster. 1 defensive end 2 Delaware 3 diatomaceous earth 4 doctor of engineering de- prefix 1 a **:** do the opposite of _de_ activate b **:** reverse of _de_-emphasis 2 a **:** remove (a specified thing) from _de_ louse b **:** remove from (a specified thing) _de_ throne 3 **:** reduce _de_ value 4 **:** derived from something (of a specified nature) _de_ nominative 5 **:** get off of (a specified thing) _de_ train 6 **:** having a molecule characterized by the removal of one or more atoms (of a specified element) _de_ oxy- Word History Etymology Prefix Middle English, from Anglo-French _de-, des-_, partly from Latin _de-_ from, down, away (from _de_, preposition) and partly from Latin _dis-_; Latin _de_ akin to Old Irish _di_ from, Old English _tō_ to — more at to, dis- Rhymes for _DE_ - be - bee - bree - cree - fee - flea - flee - free - gee - ghee - glee - he See All Rhymes for _DE_ Browse Nearby Words DDVP DE de- See all Nearby Words Cite this Entry Style MLAChicagoAPAMerriam-Webster “DE.” _Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary_, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DE. Accessed 7 May. 2026. Copy Citation Kids Definition de- prefix 1 **:** do the opposite of _de_ code 2 a **:** remove (a specified thing) from _de_ louse b **:** remove from (a specified thing) _de_ throne 3 **:** reduce _de_ grade Etymology Prefix derived from Latin _de-_ "from, down, away" and Latin _dis-,_ literally, "apart" Medical Definition D&E noun variants or D and E ˈdē-ən(d)-ˈēHow to pronounce D&E (audio) **:** dilation and evacuation Love words? Need even more definitions? Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Merriam-Webster unabridged More from Merriam-Webster Top Lookups Next refresh: 27 - 1 prejudice - 2 goaltending - 3 fortunate - 4 access - 5 commence - 6 thrashing - 7 barreling Merriam Webster Word of the Day dudgeon Listen to the pronunciation of dudgeon See Definitions and Examples » Get Word of the Day daily email! Popular in Grammar & Usage See More More Commonly Mispronounced Words Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate' 5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'? The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.' See More Popular in Wordplay See More The Longest Long Words List Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from? 9 Other Words for Beautiful Was 'nervous Nellie' a real person? 12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World See More Popular See More More Commonly Mispronounced Words The Longest Long Words List Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from? See More Games & Quizzes See All QuordleCan you solve 4 words at once?Play BlossomPick the best words!Play The Missing LetterA daily crossword with a twistPlay Name That Tree!A quiz that’s all bark, no bite.Take the quiz See All Merriam Webster Learn a new word every day. Delivered to your inbox! Help About Us Advertising Info Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram © 2026 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated