/ ˈɪŋglɪʃ; NAmE / noun , adjective
■ noun
1.
[ U , C ] the language, originally of England, now spoken in many other countries and used as a language of international communication throughout the world :
She speaks good English.
I need to improve my English.
world Englishes
2.
[ U ] English language or literature as a subject of study :
a degree in English
English is my best subject.
3.
the English [ pl. ] the people of England (sometimes wrongly used to mean the British, including the Scots, the Welsh and the Northern Irish)
•
IDIOMS
see plain adjective
■ adjective
connected with England, its people or its language :
the English countryside
an English man / woman
typically English attitudes
an English dictionary
➡ note at British
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English Englisc (from Angle , a Germanic people who came to England in 5th century AD + -ish ). The word originally denoted the early Germanic settlers of Britain (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes), or their language (now called Old English ).