Words starting with A — 1,142 entries

The 1,142 dictionary words that begin with the letter A, in alphabetical order, each with its first definition. Accents do not affect filing: an accented initial is shelved under its base letter.

• a41 sensesThe first letter of the English alphabet, written in the Latin script.
• A20 sensesThe first letter of the English alphabet, called a and written in the Latin script.
• a-14 sensesForming verbs with the sense away, up, on, out.
• A.74 sensesabsolute temperature
• a.m.1 senseIn the 12-hour period from midnight to noon (the first half of the day) when using the 12-hour clock.
• aa2 sensesA form of lava flow associated with Hawaiian-type volcanoes, consisting of basaltic rock, usually dark-colored with a jagged and loose, clinkery…
• Aa7 sensesSeveral waterways in Europe. A river in northern France, flowing 93 km from near Bourthes, Pas-de-Calais department into the North Sea near…
• AA4 sensesA member of Alcoholics Anonymous.
• aagh1 senseAn exclamation of horror, disgust or frustration
• aah11 sensesIndication of amazement or surprise or enthusiasm.
• Aaron4 sensesThe elder brother of Moses in the Book of the Exodus, and in the Quran.
• ab3 sensesAn abscess caused by injecting an illegal drug, usually heroin.
• Ab4 sensesAv.
• AB3 sensesA blood type of the ABO system that has both blood antigens and may receive all blood types, and donate to AB.
• abandon9 sensesTo give up or relinquish control of, to surrender or to give oneself over, or to yield to one's emotions.
• abandoned4 sensesHaving given oneself up to vice; immoral; extremely wicked, or sinning without restraint; irreclaimably wicked.
• abandoning1 senseAn act by which something or someone is abandoned; abandonment; neglect.
• abba1 senseFather; religious superior; in the Syriac, Coptic, and Ethiopic churches, a title given to the bishops, and by the bishops to the patriarch; a title…
• Abba1 senseFather, an honorific title given to God in the New Testament, especially used in prayers.
• ABBA1 senseA popular Swedish music group from the 1970s, one of the best-selling music artists in history.
• abbey5 sensesThe office or dominion of an abbot or abbess.
• Abbey10 sensesA diminutive of the female given name Abigail, from Hebrew.
• Abbie2 sensesA unisex given name. A diminutive of the female given name Abigail.
• abbot5 sensesThe superior or head of an abbey or monastery.
• Abbot2 sensesA surname.
• Abbott10 sensesA surname originating as an occupation.
• Abby3 sensesA diminutive of the female given name Abigail, from Hebrew, also used as a formal given name.
• ABC8 sensesThe English alphabet.
• abdomen4 sensesThe belly, or that part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis, not including the back; or in some lower vertebrates, the portion between the…
• abdominal6 sensesOf or pertaining to the abdomen; ventral.
• abduct2 sensesTo take away by force; to carry away (a human being) wrongfully and usually with violence or deception; to kidnap.
• abducted1 senseHaving been kidnapped; having become the victim of an abduction.
• abduction5 sensesA leading away; a carrying away.
• Abdul2 sensesA male given name from Arabic used by Muslims.
• abe1 senseTo be.
• Abe3 sensesA diminutive of the male given name Abraham, from Hebrew.
• abed2 sensesIn bed, or on the bed; confined to bed.
• Abed2 sensesA male given name from Arabic.
• Abel4 sensesThe son of Adam and Eve who was killed by his brother Cain.
• Abi1 senseA diminutive of the female given name Abigail.
• abide12 sensesTo endure without yielding; to withstand.
• abigail1 senseA lady's maid.
• Abigail2 sensesThe wife of Nabal and later of David in the Old Testament.
• ability7 sensesThe quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power.
• able16 sensesHaving the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task.
• Able2 sensesradiotelephony clear-code word for the letter A.
• Abner2 sensesA cousin of Saul mentioned in the Old Testament.
• abnormal3 sensesNot conforming to rule or system; deviating from the usual or normal type.
• aboard8 sensesOn board; into or within a ship or boat; hence, into or within a railway car.
• abode6 sensesA residence, dwelling or habitation.
• abomination4 sensesAn abominable act; a disgusting vice; a despicable habit.
• abort14 sensesAn early termination of a mission, action, or procedure in relation to missiles or spacecraft; the craft making such a mission.
• abortion7 sensesThe expulsion from the womb of a foetus or embryo before it is fully developed, with loss of the foetus. A spontaneous abortion; a miscarriage.
• about27 sensesIn a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of; around.
• above27 sensesPhysically over; on top of; worn on top of, said of clothing.
• Abraham5 sensesA prophet in the Old Testament, Qur'an and Aqdas; a Semitic patriarch son of Terah who practiced monotheism, father of the Jewish patriarch Isaac by…
• abroad9 sensesBeyond the bounds of a country; in foreign countries.
• abruptly1 senseIn an abrupt manner; without giving notice, or without the usual forms; suddenly; precipitously.
• abs1 senseThe abdominal muscles; plural of ab.
• Abs1 senseA diminutive of the female given name Abigail.
• ABs1 senseAll Blacks, the New Zealand national rugby team.
• ABS1 senseInitialism of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. plumbing Pipes composed of this plastic.
• absence7 sensesA state of being away or withdrawn from a place or from companionship
• absent11 sensesBeing away from a place; withdrawn from a place; existing but not present; (sometimes) missing.
• absolute29 sensesFree of restrictions, limitations, qualifications or conditions; unconditional.
• Absolute1 senseThat which is totally unconditioned, unrestricted, pure, perfect, or complete; that which can be thought of without relation to others.
• absolutely4 sensesIn an absolute or unconditional manner; utterly, positively, wholly.
• absorb14 sensesTo include so that it no longer has separate existence; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to incorporate; to assimilate; to…
• absorbed2 sensesFully occupied with one's thoughts; engrossed.
• abstract34 sensesAn abridgement or summary of a longer publication.
• absurd6 sensesContrary to reason or propriety; obviously and flatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically…
• Abu8 sensesA language of Papua New Guinea.
• abundance7 sensesA large quantity; many.
• abundant3 sensesFully sufficient; found in copious supply; in great quantity; overflowing.
• abuse15 sensesImproper treatment or usage; application to a wrong or bad purpose; an unjust, corrupt or wrongful practice or custom.
• abused3 sensesHaving been a victim of some form of abuse, most commonly child abuse or domestic violence.
• abusive6 sensesProne to treat someone badly by coarse, insulting words or other maltreatment; vituperative; reproachful; scurrilous.
• abyss8 sensesHell; the bottomless pit; primeval chaos; a confined subterranean ocean.
• ac3 sensesaccount; money of account
• Ac1 senseThe Acura Legend automobile.
• AC2 sensesInitialism of alternating current (often used to indicate an alternating potential rather than a current). supply of electric energy via a public…
• academic14 sensesBelonging to the school or philosophy of Plato.
• academy9 sensesAn institution for the study of higher learning; a college or a university; typically a private school.
• Academy7 sensesThe school for advanced education founded by Plato; the garden where Plato taught.
• accelerate8 sensesTo cause to move faster; to quicken the motion of; to add to the speed of.
• accelerated2 sensesMoving or progressing faster than is usual.
• accelerating1 senseAn act of acceleration.
• acceleration4 sensesThe act of accelerating, or the state of being accelerated; increase of motion or action; as opposed to retardation or deceleration.
• accelerator11 sensesOne who, or that which, accelerates.
• accent22 sensesA higher-pitched or stronger (louder or longer) articulation of a particular syllable of a word or phrase in order to distinguish it from the others…
• accept13 sensesTo receive, especially with a consent, with favour, or with approval.
• acceptable3 sensesWorthy, decent, sure of being accepted or received with at least moderate pleasure.
• acceptance10 sensesThe act of accepting; the receiving of something offered, with acquiescence, approbation, or satisfaction; especially, favourable reception; approval.
• accepted1 senseGenerally approved, believed, or recognized.
• accepting1 senseCharacterized by acceptance.
• access14 sensesA way or means of approaching or entering; an entrance; a passage.
• accessible7 sensesEasy of access or approach.
• accessory8 sensesHaving a secondary, supplementary or subordinate function by accompanying as a subordinate; aiding in a secondary way; being additional; contributing…
• accident17 sensesAn unexpected event with negative consequences occurring without the intention of the one suffering the consequences, and (in the strict sense) not…
• Accident1 senseA town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States.
• accidental10 sensesPertaining to accident and not essence; thus, inessential; incidental; secondary.
• accidentally2 sensesIn an accidental manner; by chance, unexpectedly.
• accommodate12 sensesTo render fit, suitable, or correspondent; to adapt.
• accommodation14 sensesLodging in a dwelling or similar living quarters afforded to travellers in hotels or on cruise ships, or students, etc.
• accommodations1 senseaccommodation, lodging
• accompanied1 senseHaving accompaniment; being part of a group of at least two.
• accompany8 sensesTo go with or attend as a companion or associate; to keep company with; to go along with.
• accompanying2 sensesPresent together.
• accomplice2 sensesAn associate in the commission of a crime; a participator in an offense, whether a principal or an accessory.
• accomplish6 sensesTo finish successfully.
• accomplished3 sensesCompleted; effected; established.
• accomplishment4 sensesThe act of accomplishing; completion; fulfilment.
• accord14 sensesAgreement of opinion, will, or action.
• accordance2 sensesAgreement; harmony; conformity; compliance.
• according2 sensesAgreeing; in agreement or harmony; harmonious.
• accordingly2 sensesAgreeably; correspondingly; suitably.
• accordion4 sensesA box-shaped musical instrument played by compressing or expanding its bellows while pressing its buttons or its keys, causing pallets to open, which…
• account23 sensesA registry of pecuniary transactions; a written or printed statement of business dealings or debts and credits, and also of other things subjected to…
• accountable4 sensesObliged, when called upon, to answer (for one’s deeds); answerable.
• accountant6 sensesOne who renders account; one accountable.
• accounting3 sensesThe development and use of a system for recording and analyzing the financial transactions and financial status of an individual or a business.
• accuracy2 sensesThe state of being accurate; being free from error; exactness; correctness
• accurate5 sensesTelling the truth or giving a true result; exact; not defective or faulty.
• accurately1 senseIn an accurate manner; exactly; precisely; without error or defect.
• accusation3 sensesThe act of accusing.
• accuse4 sensesTo find fault with, blame, censure.
• accused2 sensesThe person charged with an offense; the defendant in a criminal case.
• accusing2 sensesAccusatory.
• accustomed3 sensesFamiliar with something through repeated experience; adapted to existing conditions. (of a person)
• ace22 sensesA playing card showing a single pip, typically the highest or lowest ranking card in a game.
• Ace2 sensesA male given name.
• ACE2 sensesA proprietary data compression archive file format.
• aces1 senseAce; excellent.
• ach3 sensesAn expression of annoyance.
• ache5 sensesTo suffer pain; to be the source of, or be in, pain, especially continued dull pain; to be distressed.
• Ache1 senseA language spoken by the Yi people of South-Western China.
• achieve7 sensesTo carry out or conclude (something, as a task) successfully; to accomplish.
• achieved1 senseHaving been reached, attained or accomplished.
• achievement6 sensesThe act of achieving or performing; a successful performance; accomplishment.
• achieving1 senseAn achievement; the process of achieving something.
• Achilles3 sensesA mythical semidivine hero, the son of Peleus by the nereid Thetis, and prince of the Myrmidons, who features in the Iliad as a central character and…
• aching2 sensesThat aches; continuously painful; that causes pain.
• acid10 sensesSour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of vinegar.
• acknowledge5 sensesTo admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in.
• acknowledged1 senseGenerally accepted, recognized or admitted.
• acoustic7 sensesPertaining to the sense of hearing, the organs of hearing, or the science of sounds. Used for soundproofing or modifying sound.
• acquaintance4 sensesA state of being acquainted with a person; originally indicating friendship, intimacy, but now suggesting a slight knowledge less deep than that of…
• acquainted1 sensePersonally known; familiar.
• acquire5 sensesTo get.
• acquired1 senseDeveloped after birth; not congenital.
• acquisition3 sensesThe act or process of acquiring.
• acquitted1 senseHaving been acquitted; having gone through a trial that resulted in something other than a guilty verdict.
• acre8 sensesAn English unit of land area (symbol: a. or ac.) originally denoting a day's ploughing for a yoke of oxen, now standardized as 4,840 square yards or…
• Acre4 sensesA port city in northern Israel, holiest city in the Baháʼí Faith.
• across14 sensesTo, toward, or from the far side of (something that lies between two points of interest).
• act28 sensesSomething done, a deed.
• ACT2 sensesInitialism of Association of Consumers and Taxpayers, a political party of New Zealand. ACT New Zealand, a liberal conservative political party in…
• acting5 sensesTemporarily assuming the duties or authority of another person when they are unable to do their job.
• action28 sensesThe effort of performing or doing something.
• activate10 sensesTo encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate.
• active17 sensesHaving the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.
• actively2 sensesIn an active manner.
• activist3 sensesOne who is politically active in the role of a citizen; especially, one who campaigns for change.
• activity6 sensesThe state or quality of being active; activeness.
• actor7 sensesSomeone or something that takes part in some action; a doer, an agent.
• actress2 sensesA female who performs on the stage or in films.
• actual7 sensesrelating to a person's acts or deeds; active, practical
• actually4 sensesIn act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
• acute17 sensesBrief, quick, short.
• ad3 sensesAdvantage; also, designating the left-hand side, from the player's point of view, of their half of the court, where the advantage point following a…
• Ada14 sensesA female given name from the Germanic languages.
• adam1 senseThe day or night before an eve; two days or nights before a holiday, most commonly Christmas.
• Adam10 sensesThe first man and the progenitor of the human race.
• Adama1 senseA city, formerly the capital city of Oromia Region in Ethiopia.
• adamant8 sensesFirm; unshakeable; unyielding; determined.
• Adams24 sensesA surname originating as a patronymic derived from Adam.
• adapt5 sensesTo make suitable; to make to correspond; to fit or suit.
• adaptation8 sensesThe process of adapting something or becoming adapted to a situation; adjustment, modification.
• adapted1 senseHaving been subject to an alteration or change to fit a different circumstance or medium.
• add12 sensesTo join or unite (e.g. one thing to another, or as several particulars) so as to increase the number, augment the quantity, or enlarge the magnitude,…
• ADD1 senseA designation on prerecorded compact discs indicating that the contents were recorded in analog but mixed and mastered in digital.
• addict10 sensesA person who is addicted, especially to a harmful drug.
• addicted2 sensesHaving a biochemical addiction.
• addiction4 sensesA state that is characterized by compulsive drug use or compulsive engagement in rewarding behavior, despite negative consequences.
• addictive5 sensesCausing or tending to cause addiction; habit-forming.
• adding1 senseAn act of addition.
• Addison7 sensesA surname transferred from the given name.
• addition7 sensesThe act of adding anything.
• additional2 sensesSupplemental or added to something.
• address29 sensesDirection. A manner of speaking or writing to another; language, style.
• addressed2 sensesOf a document, marked with an address.
• addressing3 sensesA process of putting a person's name and address on an item of mail
• Adelaide4 sensesA female given name from the Germanic languages.
• adele1 senseAn infinite sequence consisting of a real number and a p-adic number for every prime number p, such that all but finitely many of them are p-adic…
• Adele2 sensesA female given name from the Germanic languages.
• adequate4 sensesEqual to or fulfilling some requirement.
• Adi3 sensesA Tibeto-Burman language spoken in India and Tibet.
• adieu2 sensesSaid to wish a final farewell; goodbye.
• adios4 sensesgoodbye
• Aditya2 sensesAny of a group of solar deities, the sons of Aditi and Kashyapa.