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A simple and readable compilation of English words that start with D

Vocabulary plays an especially important role in the English learning process. Mastering a large vocabulary trove not only improves your communication skills but also enhances your ability in Listening - Speaking - Reading - Writing. In this article, PREP would like to introduce over 250 English words that start with D along with familiar topics and word classes. Please follow the article to enrich your knowledge with interesting insights!

I. A compilation of English words that start with D
II. A compilation of English words that start with D categorized by word classes
III. Exercises on English words that start with D
1. 1. Exercises
2. 2. Answers
IV. Crack the IELTS Exam With Confidence

I. A compilation of English words that start with D

Learning by topic is considered one of the most effective ways to enrich your English vocabulary. In the below parts, PREP has listed English words that start with D under 3 most popular topics: food & drinks, objects, and animals, and under word classes. This approach aims to help create a clear and structured study plan for better understanding.

1. Foods, drinks, and vegetables

First of all, let’s dive into English words that start with D of the most interesting theme, which is foods, drinks, and vegetables.

English words that start with D	Word class	Pronunciation	Example
Dragonfruit	Noun	/ˈdræɡənˌfruːt/	This dragonfruit is so juicy and sweet!
Durian	Noun	/ˈdʊriən/	The smell of durian can be quite pungent, but the taste is amazing.
Date	Noun	/deɪt/	I love eating dates as a snack.
Daikon	Noun	/ˈdaɪˌkɒn/	Daikon is a type of radish commonly used in Japanese cuisine.
Dandelion green	Noun	/ˈdændɪˌlaɪən ɡriːn/	Dandelion greens are rich in vitamins and minerals.
Delicata squash	Noun	/ˌdɛlɪˈkɑːtə skwɒʃ/	Delicata squash has a creamy, sweet flesh and is perfect for roasting.
Dill	Noun	/dɪl/	Dill is often used as a seasoning for fish and seafood dishes.
Dumpling	Noun	/ˈdʌmplɪŋ/	I love to eat dumplings with soy sauce.
Donut	Noun	/ˈdoʊnət/	I usually have a donut with my morning coffee.
Duck	Noun	/dʌk/	Roast duck is a classic Chinese dish.
Dip	Noun	/dɪp/	I like to eat chips with sour cream and onion dip.
Daal	Noun	/dɑːl/	Daal is a popular Indian lentil dish.
Danish	Noun	/ˈdeɪnɪʃ/	I always buy cheese danish from the bakery.
Dim sum	Noun	/ˌdɪm ˈsʌm/	Dim sum is a style of Chinese cuisine where small plates of food are served.
Devour	Verb	/dɪˈvaʊər/	The kids devoured the pizza in no time.
Dine	Verb	/daɪn/	We often dine out on weekends.
Drink	Verb	/drɪŋk/	She drank a glass of milk with her breakfast.
Digest	Verb	/daɪˈdʒɛst/	It takes around 3 hours for the body to digest a meal.
Dunk	Verb	/dʌŋk/	He likes to dunk his cookies in his coffee before eating them.
Delicious	Adjective	/dɪˈlɪʃəs/	This pizza is delicious!
Delectable	Adjective	/dɪˈlɛktəbl/	The delectable aroma of freshly baked bread filled the room.
Digestible	Adjective	/daɪˈdʒɛstəbl/	These vegetables are highly digestible.
Decadent	Adjective	/ˈdɛkədənt/	The chocolate cake was so decadent, it felt like a sin to eat it.
Dietary	Adjective	/ˈdaɪəˌtɛri/	She follows a strict dietary regimen to maintain her health.

2. Objects

Afterward, let's explore together the vocabulary associated with objects and tools beginning with the letter D, which we commonly use in our daily routines!

English words that start with D	Word class	Pronunciation	Example
Desktop computer	Noun	/ˈdɛsktɒp kəmˈpjuːtər/	I use my desktop computer for work and gaming.
Drill	Noun	/drɪl/	I need to buy a drill to hang up some shelves.
Door	Noun	/dɔːr/	Please close the door when you leave.
Desk	Noun	/dɛsk/	I need a comfortable desk and chair for my home office.
Diary	Noun	/ˈdaɪəri/	I like to have a diary to record my thoughts and experiences.
Dish	Noun	/dɪʃ/	Please wash the dishes after dinner.
Dumbbell	Noun	/ˈdʌmbɛl/	I use dumbbells to exercise my arms and shoulders.
Dryer	Noun	/ˈdraɪər/	I always use a hair dryer to dry my hair after washing it.
Dartboard	Noun	/ˈdɑːrtˌbɔːrd/	We have a dartboard in our basement for entertainment.
Dictionary	Noun	/ˈdɪkʃəˌnɛri/	I often use a dictionary to look up new words.
Doorbell	Noun	/ˈdɔːrbɛl/	Please ring the doorbell if nobody answers the door.
Digital camera	Noun	/ˈdɪdʒɪtl ˈkæmərə/	I prefer using a digital camera over a film camera.
Drawing board	Noun	/ˈdrɔːɪŋ bɔːrd/	I use a drawing board to sketch out my designs.
Dentist chair	Noun	/ˈdɛntɪst tʃɛr/	I feel nervous sitting in the dentist chair.
Durable	Adjective	/ˈdʊrəbl/	This suitcase is very durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Digital	Adjective	/ˈdɪdʒɪtl/	The digital camera takes high-quality photos.
Double-sided	Adjective	/ˈdʌbl ˈsaɪdɪd/	This double-sided tape is strong and perfect for hanging pictures.
Deserted	Adjective	/dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/	The deserted island was home to many types of wildlife that had adapted to the environment.

3. Animals

Regarding animals, you must be very interested in this topic. Let’s explore which animal names start with the letter D with PREP!

English words that start with D	Word class	Pronunciation	Example
Dog	Noun	/dɔːɡ/	My dog is always happy to see me.
Dolphin	Noun	/ˈdɒlfɪn/	We saw a pod of dolphins swimming in the ocean.
Deer	Noun	/dɪr/	The deer was grazing in the field.
Duck	Noun	/dʌk/	The ducklings followed their mother across the pond.
Donkey	Noun	/ˈdɒŋki/	The donkey carried heavy loads up the mountain.
Dragonfly	Noun	/ˈdræɡənˌflaɪ/	A dragonfly landed on the flower.
Dove	Noun	/dʌv/	The dove cooed softly in the tree.
Dalmatian	Noun	/dælˈmeɪʃən/	The Dalmatian is a breed of dog with spots.
Dormouse	Noun	/ˈdɔːrˌmaʊs/	The dormouse hibernates during the winter.
Dung beetle	Noun	/dʌŋ ˈbiːtl/	I’m so scared when I see a Dung beetle moving towards me.
Desert tortoise	Noun	/ˈdɛzərt ˈtɔːrtəs/	The desert tortoise can survive in very hot and dry environments.
Dingo	Noun	/ˈdɪŋɡoʊ/	The dingo is a wild dog found in Australia.
Dachshund	Noun	/ˈdɑːksˌhʊnd/	The dachshund is a small breed of dog with a long body.
Desert hare	Noun	/ˈdɛzərt hɛr/	The desert hare has large ears to help it regulate its body temperature.
Domestic	Adjective	/dəˈmɛstɪk/	Domestic cats are popular pets around the world.
Docile	Adjective	/ˈdɑːsəl/	The docile horse was easy to train and ride.

4. Environment

Exploring vocabulary related to the environment is crucial, especially given its significance today. Join PREP in diving into English words beginning with the letter 'D' within the topic of the environment.

English words that start with D	Word class	Pronunciation	Example
Deforestation	Noun	/dɪˌfɔːrɪˈsteɪʃən/	Deforestation is a major issue that is contributing to climate change.
Drought	Noun	/draʊt/	The drought has caused crops to fail and water sources to dry up.
Decompose	Verb	/ˌdiːkəmˈpoʊz/	When organic matter decomposes, it releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Deplete	Verb	/dɪˈpliːt/	If we continue to deplete the earth’s natural resources, we will cause serious damage to the environment.
Depletion	Noun	/dɪˈpliːʃən/	The depletion of the ozone layer is causing harmful UV radiation to reach the Earth’s surface.
Disposable	Adjective	/dɪˈspoʊzəbl/	Disposable plastic bags are a major contributor to environmental pollution.
Dumping	Noun	/ˈdʌmpɪŋ/	Dumping hazardous waste into rivers is illegal and highly damaging to the environment.
Degradation	Noun	/ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən/	Deforestation and soil erosion are leading to the degradation of natural habitats.
Dam	Noun	/dæm/	The construction of a dam can have both positive and negative environmental impacts.
Disposal	Noun	/dɪˈspoʊzəl/	Proper disposal of hazardous materials is crucial for protecting the environment and public health.
Damaging	Adjective	/ˈdæmɪdʒɪŋ/	The damaging effects of plastic pollution on marine life are well-documented.
Dump	Verb	/dʌmp/	People who dump trash on the side of the road are breaking the law and harming the environment.
Defect	Noun	/ˈdiːfɛkt/	The defect in the manufacturing process resulted in toxic chemicals being released into the environment.
Dilute	Verb	/daɪˈluːt/	The factory diluted the toxic waste with water before dumping it into the river.
Disrupt	Verb	/dɪsˈrʌpt/	Construction noise can disrupt the natural habitats of wildlife and cause them to migrate.
Dirty	Adjective	/ˈdɜːrti/	The dirty air in the city is a result of high levels of pollution from cars and factories.
Dusty	Adjective	/ˈdʌsti/	The dusty road made it difficult to breathe and caused allergies.
Drown	Verb	/draʊn/	Many marine animals drown in plastic waste in the ocean.
Dangerous	Adjective	/ˈdeɪndʒərəs/	The dangerous chemicals in pesticides can have harmful effects on human health.
Desalination	Noun	/diːˌsælɪˈneɪʃən/	Desalination is becoming an increasingly important technology for providing clean drinking water in areas with water scarcity.
Density	Noun	/ˈdɛnsɪti/	The area has a high population density.
Diverse	Adjective	/daɪˈvɜːrs/	The rainforest is home to a diverse range of plants and animals.

5. Sports

Vocabulary related to sports is just as exciting as any other topic. Let's team up with PREP to explore English words that start with the letter D within the topic of sports.

English words that start with D	Word class	Pronunciation	Example
Dribble	Verb	/ˈdrɪbəl/	Lionel Messi is known for his excellent dribbling skills on the soccer field.
Defender	Noun	/dɪˈfɛndər/	The defender made a great tackle to prevent the other team from scoring a goal.
Discipline	Noun	/ˈdɪsəplɪn/	It takes discipline and dedication to become a professional athlete.
Dive	Verb	/daɪv/	The diver performed an impressive somersault before entering the water.
Defeat	Noun	/dɪˈfiːt/	The team suffered a devastating defeat in the championship game.
Defensive	Adjective	/dɪˈfɛnsɪv/	The coach decided to switch to a defensive strategy to protect their lead.
Double fault	Noun	/ˈdʌbl fɔːlt/	The tennis player made a double fault, giving their opponent an easy point.
Doping	Noun	/ˈdoʊpɪŋ/	Doping is a serious problem in many sports, and can have dangerous health effects.
Draw	Noun	/drɔː/	The game ended in a draw, with neither team able to score a winning goal.
Disqualify	Verb	/dɪsˈkwɑːləˌfaɪ/	The athlete was disqualified for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Drop shot	Noun	/ˈdrɑːp ʃɑːt/	The tennis player used a drop shot to catch their opponent off guard and win the point.
Dead ball	Noun	/dɛd bɔːl/	The referee called a dead ball when the ball went out of bounds and couldn’t be retrieved.
Dominant	Adjective	/ˈdɑːmɪnənt/	Serena Williams has been a dominant player in women’s tennis for many years.
Durable	Adjective	/ˈdʊrəbl/	A durable pair of running shoes is essential for long-distance runners.
Dunk	Verb	/dʌŋk/	The basketball player’s ability to dunk has made him a fan favorite.
Draw	Verb	/drɔː/	The new fitness app is designed to draw users in with its engaging content and features.
Dexterity	Noun	/dɛkˈstɛrɪti/	Gymnasts require a high level of dexterity and coordination to perform their routines.
Distance runner	Noun	/ˈdɪstəns ˈrʌnər/	The distance runner set a new personal record in the marathon.
Drive	Noun	/draɪv/	He performs a beautiful drive.
Dynamic	Adjective	/daɪˈnæmɪk/	The dynamic warm-up routine helped prepare the athletes for the game.
Dedicated	Adjective	/ˈdɛdɪˌkeɪtɪd/	She is a dedicated athlete who trains every day to improve her performance.
Determined	Adjective	/dɪˈtɜːrmɪnd/	The team was determined to win the championship this year.
Disciplined	Adjective	/ˈdɪsəplɪnd/	The coach instilled a disciplined approach in the team’s training and preparation.

6. Clothes

Have you ever wondered what the clothes you wear are called in English? Let's join PREP to conquer English vocabulary on the topic of clothing with words starting with the letter D!

English words that start with D	Word class	Pronunciation	Example
Dress	Verb	/drɛs/	She wore a beautiful dress to the wedding ceremony.
Denim	Noun	/ˈdɛnɪm/	Denim jeans are a popular style of pants for casual wear.
Designer	Noun	/dɪˈzaɪnər/	Many famous designers showcase their latest collections during Fashion Week.
Dapper	Adjective	/ˈdæpər/	He always looks dapper in his well-tailored suits.
Diamond	Noun	/ˈdaɪəmənd/	The engagement ring featured a stunning diamond at the center.
Dye	Verb	/daɪ/	She decided to dye her hair blonde for a new look.
Dress code	Noun	/drɛs koʊd/	The office has a strict dress code that prohibits casual clothing.
Decorative	Adjective	/ˈdɛkərətɪv/	The decorative embellishments added a touch of elegance to the garment.
Doublet	Noun	/ˈdʌblɪt/	The actor wore a doublet in the period drama to match the time period.
Draped	Verb	/dreɪpt/	The curtains were draped over the windows to block out the sunlight.
Dressing gown	Noun	/ˈdrɛsɪŋ ɡaʊn/	She wrapped herself in a cozy dressing gown after her shower.
Drop earrings	Noun	/drɑːp ˈɪrɪŋz/	The drop earrings complemented her outfit perfectly.
Denier	Noun	/ˈdɛnjər/	The denier of the fabric determined its durability and thickness.
Dresser	Noun	/ˈdrɛsər/	The dresser was full of neatly folded clothes and accessories.
Diamond-cut	Adjective	/ˈdaɪəmənd kʌt/	The diamond-cut edges of the crystal vase added to its overall beauty.
Dress up	Verb	/drɛs ʌp/	She decided to dress up for the fancy dinner party and wore a stunning gown.
Down jacket	Noun	/daʊn ˈdʒækɪt/	He wore a warm down jacket to protect himself from the cold winter weather.
Drawstring	Noun	/ˈdrɔːstrɪŋ/	The drawstring on the hood helped to adjust the fit of the sweatshirt.
Distressed	Adjective	/dɪˈstrɛst/	The distressed jeans gave him a fashionable, worn-in look.
Diamond ring	Noun	/ˈdaɪəmənd rɪŋ/	He proposed to her with a beautiful diamond ring that took her breath away.
Dashing	Adjective	/ˈdæʃɪŋ/	She made a dashing appearance at the party in her elegant dress.
Dressy	Adjective	/ˈdrɛsi/	The wedding had a dressy dress code, so everyone was dressed up.
Drape	Verb	/dreɪp/	She draped a shawl over her shoulders to keep warm.
Don	Verb	/dɑːn/	He donned a leather jacket for his motorcycle ride.

II. A compilation of English words that start with D categorized by word classes

Let’s check out which nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs start with the letter “D” with PREP!

1. Verb

Here are some English verbs that start with the letter 'D'.

English words that start with D	Pronunciation	Example
Dance	/dæns/	She loves to dance to the latest pop songs.
Dare	/dɛr/	I dare you to jump over the fence.
Deal	/diːl/	We need to deal with this problem before it gets worse.
Debate	/dɪˈbeɪt/	The candidates debated the issues for two hours.
Decide	/dɪˈsaɪd/	Have you decided where to go for vacation?
Declare	/dɪˈklɛr/	The president declared a state of emergency.
Decorate	/ˈdɛkəˌreɪt/	She decorated her house with flowers and candles for the party.
Dedicate	/ˈdɛdəˌkeɪt/	He dedicated his life to helping others.
Defend	/dɪˈfɛnd/	The soldier defended his country against the enemy.
Delay	/dɪˈleɪ/	The flight was delayed due to bad weather.
Deliver	/dɪˈlɪvər/	The postman delivered a package to my house.
Demand	/dɪˈmænd/	The workers demand better pay and working conditions.
Deny	/dɪˈnaɪ/	He denied stealing the money from the cash register.
Depart	/dɪˈpɑːrt/	The train will depart from platform 3.
Describe	/dɪˈskraɪb/	Can you describe the suspect to the police?

2. Adjective

Here are some English adjectives for description that start with the letter 'D':

English words that start with D	Pronunciation	Example
Dangerous	/ˈdeɪndʒərəs/	It’s dangerous to cross the street without looking both ways.
Dark	/dɑːrk/	It’s too dark to see anything.
Dead	/dɛd/	The plant looks dead.
Deep	/diːp/	The hole is so deep you can’t see the bottom.
Defeated	/dɪˈfiːtɪd/	My team was defeated in the final match.
Delicious	/dɪˈlɪʃəs/	This pizza is delicious.
Delightful	/dɪˈlaɪtfəl/	We had a delightful time at the amusement park.
Depressed	/dɪˈprɛst/	She felt depressed after losing her job.
Determined	/dɪˈtɜːrmɪnd/	He was determined to finish the race, no matter what.
Different	/ˈdɪfrənt/	They have very different personalities.
Difficult	/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/	Learning a new language can be difficult.
Dirty	/ˈdɜːrti/	Please clean your room, it’s very dirty.
Dizzy	/ˈdɪzi/	She felt dizzy after riding the roller coaster.
Drab	/dræb/	The gray, drab sky made everyone feel gloomy.
Dry	/draɪ/	The desert is very dry and hot.

3. Adverb

Adverbs give more information to the verbs. Let’s explore what adverbs start with “D”!

English words that start with D	Pronunciation	Example
Daily	/ˈdeɪli/	I check my email daily.
Dangerously	/ˈdeɪndʒərəsli/	He drove dangerously fast on the highway.
Darkly	/ˈdɑːrkli/	The movie was darkly lit to create a spooky atmosphere.
Dearly	/ˈdɪrli/	She loved her grandmother dearly.
Deeply	/ˈdiːpli/	I am deeply grateful for your help.
Definitely	/ˈdɛfɪnɪtli/	I will definitely be there on time.
Deliberately	/dɪˈlɪbərətli/	He deliberately ignored her when she spoke to him.
Depressingly	/dɪˈprɛsɪŋli/	The weather has been depressingly gray for weeks.
Desperately	/ˈdɛspərətli/	She desperately needed a job to pay her bills.
Differently	/ˈdɪfrəntli/	We all think differently about the situation.
Directly	/dəˈrɛktli/	Can you please speak directly into the microphone?
Disappointingly	/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋli/	The team played very disappointingly.
Disastrously	/dɪˈzæstrəsli/	The earthquake affected the region disastrously.
Distinctly	/dɪˈstɪŋktli/	I distinctly remember telling you about the meeting.
Doubtfully	/ˈdaʊtfəli/	He looked at her doubtfully when she made mistakes.

4. Noun

Many English nouns start with the letter D, but PREP will provide familiar vocabulary first, as for more difficult and advanced words, PREP will reveal in the following lessons!

English words that start with D	Pronunciation	Example
Day	/deɪ/	Today is a beautiful day.
Decision	/dɪˈsɪʒən/	Making a decision can be difficult sometimes.
Discussion	/dɪˈskʌʃən/	We had a long discussion about the project.
Department	/dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/	She works in the marketing department.
Delivery	/dɪˈlɪvəri/	The delivery will arrive tomorrow.
Deadline	/ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/	The deadline for the project is next week.
Destination	/ˌdɛstɪˈneɪʃən/	Our destination is the beach.
Disaster	/dɪˈzæstər/	The hurricane was a disaster for the region.
Doctor	/ˈdɒktər/	I need to make an appointment with the doctor.
Dream	/driːm/	She had a dream about traveling the world.
Drink	/drɪŋk/	Would you like a drink?
Direction	/dɪˈrɛkʃən/	Can you give me directions to the nearest gas station?
Device	/dɪˈvaɪs/	My phone is a very important device for me.
Data	/ˈdeɪtə/	The company has a lot of data on their customers.
Dollar	/ˈdɒlər/	The shirt costs thirty dollars.

III. Exercises on English words that start with D

1. Exercises

Exercise 1: Match the words with the appropriate pictures

Bài tập ghi nhớ từ vựng tiếng Anh bắt đầu bằng chữ D

Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the missing letters

2. Answers

Exercise 1:

Exercise 2:

Dangerous
Decorate
Deforestation
Discipline
Disqualify

IV. Crack the IELTS Exam With Confidence

The article above has provided you with 250+ English words that start with D that are common, practical and useful for you. If you want to learn the secrets to IELTS success? Explore these powerful resources below:

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Founder of Prep Smart Test Preparation Platform. With over 10 years of experience in teaching and test preparation, Mr. Tú has helped thousands of students achieve high scores in the IELTS exam. In addition, Mr. Tú Phạm is also a consulting expert in British Council programs and a speaker at many leading educational events, programs, and conferences.