LocalMean

A–Z dictionary

Scottish words and phrases A–Z

Use the alphabet or instant local search to find a reviewed definition without guessing which category a word belongs to.

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Showing all 62 entries.

A

1 entry

Meaning and examplesayeUsually yes in modern conversation; in Scots writing, also always or ever.

B

9 entries

Meaning and examplesbairnA child; sometimes a person's offspring regardless of age.Meaning and examplesbalticExtremely cold.Meaning and examplesbampotA foolish, chaotic, eccentric, or troublesome person.Meaning and examplesbelterSomething or someone outstanding, striking, or exceptionally good.Meaning and examplesbevvyAn alcoholic drink or a session of drinking.Meaning and examplesbideTo stay, live, wait, remain, or endure.Meaning and examplesbletherTo talk at length, often idly; also a chat, rambling talk, or nonsense.Meaning and examplesbonniePretty, attractive, pleasing, or beautiful.Meaning and examplesbrawFine, excellent, splendid, attractive, or impressive.

C

7 entries

Meaning and examplescannaeCannot or can't.Meaning and examplesceilidhA social gathering with traditional music, dancing, stories, or entertainment.Meaning and exampleschancerA bold opportunist who takes risks or pushes their luck.Meaning and examplesclartyDirty, muddy, sticky, messy, or unpleasantly smeared.Meaning and examplescloseA shared entrance, passage, or stair in a tenement building.Meaning and examplescoorieTo nestle, snuggle, or settle closely for warmth and comfort.Meaning and examplescrabbitBad-tempered, irritable, cross, or grumpy.

D

4 entries

Meaning and examplesdaftyA silly, foolish, or eccentric person.Meaning and examplesdinnaeDo not.Meaning and examplesdreichDreary, bleak, tedious, or unpleasantly long-drawn-out.Meaning and examplesdrookitSoaking wet or completely drenched.

F

6 entries

Meaning and examplesfaWho in Doric and north-east Scots.Meaning and examplesfanWhen in Doric and north-east Scots.Meaning and examplesfankleTo tangle, entangle, or get into a confused mess.Meaning and examplesfarWhere in Doric and north-east Scots.Meaning and examplesfit likeHow are you? or how are things? in Doric.Meaning and examplesfooHow in Doric and some north-eastern Scots varieties.

G

4 entries

Meaning and examplesglaikitFoolish, vacant-looking, thoughtless, or lacking awareness.Meaning and examplesgonnaeA Scottish form used in requests meaning going to or will you.Meaning and examplesgreetTo cry or weep; also crying.Meaning and examplesguttedDeeply disappointed, upset, or devastated.

H

3 entries

Meaning and exampleshameHome, at home, or toward home.Meaning and exampleshenA familiar way to address a woman or girl.Meaning and exampleshowfA favourite meeting place, pub, café, or regular haunt.

K

1 entry

Meaning and exampleskenTo know, understand, recognise, or be aware of.

L

2 entries

Meaning and examplesladdieA boy or young man; sometimes an affectionate term for a man.Meaning and exampleslassieA girl or young woman; sometimes an affectionate term for a woman.

M

3 entries

Meaning and examplesmessagesShopping, groceries, purchases, or an errand to a shop.Meaning and examplesminA familiar Doric form of address similar to man or mate.Meaning and examplesmuckleBig, large, great, much, or a large amount.

N

4 entries

Meaning and examplesnaeNo, not any, or none, depending on grammar.Meaning and examplesnae botherNo problem, do not worry, or you are welcome.Meaning and examplesneepsTurnips or swedes, especially when prepared as food.Meaning and examplesnumptyA foolish, incompetent, or clueless person.

O

2 entries

Meaning and examplesochAn exclamation expressing reaction, dismissal, sympathy, surprise, or mild frustration.Meaning and examplesoutwithOutside, beyond, or not included within a stated limit.

P

3 entries

Meaning and examplespeely-wallyPale, washed-out, weak-looking, or unwell in appearance.Meaning and examplespieceA sandwich, especially in phrases such as a piece and jam.Meaning and examplespuggledExhausted, worn out, or completely tired.

R

1 entry

Meaning and examplesradgeA wild, aggressive, angry, or unruly person; also furious or out of control.

S

7 entries

Meaning and examplessairSore, painful, tender, severe, or badly.Meaning and examplesschemeA housing estate or planned residential area.Meaning and examplesscranFood or something to eat.Meaning and examplesscunneredFed up, disgusted, tired of something, or strongly put off.Meaning and examplesshoogleTo shake, wobble, sway, or move unsteadily.Meaning and examplesskintHaving little or no money available.Meaning and examplesstoaterAn excellent or impressive person or thing.

T

1 entry

Meaning and examplestattieA potato.

W

4 entries

Meaning and exampleswabbitTired, weak, unwell, or lacking energy.Meaning and examplesweanA child, especially in Glasgow and west-central Scotland.Meaning and examplesweeSmall, little, short, or a small amount.Meaning and exampleswheeshtBe quiet, silence, or a request for quiet.