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.

• ale3 sensesA beer or beerlike drink produced by so-called warm fermentation and unpressurized.
• Ale1 senseA surname.
• alec2 sensesAn anchovy or herring, especially pickled or dried.
• Alec1 senseA diminutive of the male given name Alexander, from Ancient Greek, of Scottish origin.
• Alejandro2 sensesA male given name from Spanish, equivalent to English Alexander.
• alert7 sensesAttentive; awake; on guard.
• Alert3 sensesA community in the Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada; the northernmost permanently inhabited place in the world.
• alerted1 senseHaving been made alert; having been made attentive, alarmed or warned of something coming soon.
• Alex2 sensesA unisex given name from Ancient Greek.
• Alexa2 sensesA female given name from Ancient Greek.
• alexander2 sensesA cocktail made of cognac or gin, white crème de cacao, and light cream.
• Alexander12 sensesA male given name from Ancient Greek, most famously held by Alexander the Great.
• Alexandra5 sensesA female given name from Ancient Greek.
• Alexandria34 sensesA city, port, and former capital of Egypt famed for its ancient library and lighthouse.
• Alexei1 senseA transliteration of the Russian male given name Алексе́й (Alekséj), equivalent to Alexius.
• Alexis2 sensesA male given name from Ancient Greek.
• alf1 senseA supernatural being similar to an elf; one of the Dǫkkálfar or Ljósalfar.
• Alf2 sensesA diminutive of the male given names Alfred or Alfonso, from the Germanic languages.
• Alfie1 senseA diminutive of the male given names Alfred or Alfonso, from the Germanic languages, also used as a formal given name.
• Alfonso3 sensesA male given name from the Germanic languages.
• Alfred8 sensesAlfred the Great, early king of England.
• Alfredo3 sensesThe sauce made from butter and Parmesan cheese used in dishes such as fettuccine Alfredo.
• algae2 sensesAlgal organisms viewed collectively or as a mass; algal growth.
• algebra7 sensesElementary algebra: A system for representing and manipulating unknown quantities (variables) in equations.
• Algeria3 sensesA country in North Africa. Official name: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria. Capital and largest city: Algiers. The People’s Democratic…
• algorithm6 sensesA collection of ordered steps that solve a mathematical problem. A precise step-by-step plan for a computational procedure that possibly begins with…
• Ali6 sensesA male given name from Arabic.
• alias9 sensesOtherwise; at another time; in other circumstances; otherwise called; also known as; formerly known as.
• alibi4 sensesThe plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for a crime proves or attempts to prove being in another place when the alleged act was…
• Alice6 sensesA female given name from the Germanic languages popular in England since the Middle Ages.
• Alicia1 senseA female given name from the Germanic languages.
• alien10 sensesA person, animal, plant, or other thing which is from outside the family, group, organization, or territory under consideration.
• aligned2 sensesHaving been placed, arranged or formed in alignment (with something).
• alignment9 sensesAn arrangement of items in a line.
• alike3 sensesHaving resemblance or similitude; similar; without difference.
• Alike1 senseA village in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India.
• alimony2 sensesA court-mandated allowance made to a former spouse by a divorced or legally separated person.
• alison1 senseSynonym of alyssum.
• Alison3 sensesA female given name from the Germanic languages.
• Alistair1 senseA male given name from Scottish Gaelic.
• alive9 sensesHaving life; living; not dead.
• all18 sensesEvery individual or anything of the given class, with no exceptions (the noun or noun phrase denoting the class must be plural or uncountable).
• all-2 sensesIndicates complete power or authority in an area.
• All-1 senseIndicates a team comprising the best players for each position
• all-out2 sensesUsing every available means.
• all-time1 senseOf all time; unsurpassed up to the present time.
• Allah1 senseGod, in Islamic or Arabic contexts
• Allan5 sensesA male given name from the Celtic languages, a less common spelling of Alan.
• alleged1 senseAsserted (or supposed), but not proved.
• allegedly1 senseAccording to allegation(s); supposedly, reportedly.
• allegiance1 senseLoyalty or commitment to a cause, group, nation or of a subordinate to a superior.
• Allen26 sensesAn English and Scottish surname transferred from the given name derived from the given name Alan.
• allergic4 sensesOf or pertaining to allergy.
• allergy3 sensesA disorder of the immune system causing adverse reactions to substances (allergens) not harmful to most and marked by the body's production of…
• alley11 sensesA narrow street or passageway, especially one through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots of buildings.
• Alley2 sensesA surname.
• alliance8 sensesThe state of being allied.
• Alliance9 sensesA former unincorporated community in Humboldt County, California, United States, now incorporated into the city of Arcata.
• Allie2 sensesA diminutive of the female given names Alice, Alison, or Alexandra or other names beginning with Al-, from the Germanic languages or Ancient Greek.
• allied2 sensesJoined as allies.
• Allied1 senseOf or relating to the Allies, chiefly in reference to British and American allies during World War I or II.
• Allies2 sensesThe countries allied against the Central Powers during World War I, including especially the United Kingdom, the Russian Empire, and France.
• alligator12 sensesEither of two species of large amphibious reptile, Alligator mississippiensis or Alligator sinensis, in the genus Alligator within order Crocodilia,…
• Allison12 sensesA surname originating as a patronymic.
• allow13 sensesTo let one have as a suitable share of something.
• allowance13 sensesPermission; granting, conceding, or admitting.
• allowed3 sensesPermitted, authorized.
• ally13 sensesTo unite or form a connection between (people or things), as between families by marriage, or between states by confederacy, league, or treaty.
• Ally2 sensesA diminutive of the female given names Alice, Alison, Alexandra, or other names beginning with Al-[[]], from the Germanic languages or Ancient Greek.
• alma1 senseAn Egyptian female singer or dancing girl employed for entertainment or as a professional mourner.
• Alma30 sensesA female given name from Latin, popular in the 19th century.
• almighty4 sensesUnlimited in might; omnipotent; all-powerful
• Almighty1 senseGod, the supreme being.
• almond13 sensesThe seed within the drupe of a small deciduous tree in family Rosaceae, Prunus amygdalus, considered a culinary nut.
• Almond5 sensesA surname.
• Almonds1 senseA locality in the Shire of Moira, northern Victoria, Australia.
• almost4 sensesVery close to, but not quite.
• alms1 senseSomething given to the poor as charity, such as money, clothing or food.
• Alms1 senseA surname from German.
• aloha3 sensesGood wishes, love, compassion, peacefulness and affection.
• Aloha4 sensesA place in the United States: An unincorporated community in Grant Parish, Louisiana.
• ALOHA1 senseALOHAnet (an early computer networking system).
• alone11 sensesBy oneself, solitary.
• along4 sensesBy the length of; in a line with the length of; lengthwise next to.
• alongside3 sensesAlong the side; by the side; side by side; abreast.
• Alonso2 sensesA male given name from the Germanic languages, variant of Alfonso.
• Alonzo1 senseA male given name from the Germanic languages, variant of Alfonso.
• aloud3 sensesWith a loud voice, or great noise; loudly; audibly.
• alpha13 sensesThe name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α, α), followed by beta. In the Latin alphabet it is the predecessor to A.
• Alpha9 sensesA placename. A ghost town in California, United States (USA).
• alphabet8 sensesThe set of letters used when writing in a language.
• Alphonse1 senseA male given name from the Germanic languages.
• Alps1 senseA mountain range in Western Europe, running from France to Slovenia, the highest peak of which is Mont Blanc, at 4808 metres.
• already5 sensesPrior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously.
• alright3 sensesUsed to indicate acknowledgement or acceptance; OK.
• also3 sensesIn addition; besides; as well; further; too.
• altar3 sensesA table or similar flat-topped structure used for religious rites.
• alter6 sensesTo change the form or structure of.
• altercation3 sensesAn angry or heated dispute.
• altered3 sensesA kind of car in drag racing, usually with a partial body situated behind the exposed engine.
• alternate13 sensesHappening by turns; one following the other in succession of time or place; first one and then the other (repeatedly).
• alternative10 sensesRelating to a choice between two or more possibilities.
• although2 sensesThough, even though, in spite of or despite the fact that: introducing a clause that expresses a concession.
• altitude10 sensesThe absolute height of a location, usually measured from sea level.
• altogether5 sensesCompletely, wholly, or without exception.
• aluminum1 senseAmerican, Canadian, and Philippines standard spelling of aluminium.
• alumni1 senseAn individual alumnus or alumna.
• Alvarez1 senseA surname from Spanish.
• Alvin8 sensesA male given name from Old English.
• always4 sensesAt all times; throughout all time; since the beginning.
• Alyssa1 senseA female given name from the Germanic languages, popular in the US in the 1990s and the 2000s.
• Alzheimer1 senseSomebody with Alzheimer's disease.
• Am2 sensesShortened form of America or American, particularly as used in commercial names.
• AM1 senseMember of the Order of Australia.
• Aman1 senseA surname.
• Amanda4 sensesA female given name from Latin.
• Amar2 sensesA surname.
• amateur6 sensesA person attached to a particular pursuit, study, science, or art (such as music or painting), especially one who cultivates any study, interest,…
• amaze8 sensesTo fill (someone) with surprise and wonder; to astonish, to astound, to surprise.
• amazed1 senseAstonished or confounded with fear, surprise, or wonder; greatly surprised (often with ensuing adpositions e.g. at, with, or by).
• amazing2 sensesCausing wonder and amazement; very surprising.
• amazingly3 sensesIn an amazing manner; in a way that causes amazement; wonderfully.
• amazon4 sensesA tall, strong, athletic woman.
• Amazon9 sensesA member of a mythical race of female warriors inhabiting the Black Sea area.
• ambassador4 sensesA diplomat of the highest rank sent to a foreign court to represent there their sovereign or country. (Sometimes called ambassador-in-residence)
• amber12 sensesA hard, generally yellow to brown translucent or transparent fossil resin from extinct coniferous trees of the pine genus, used for jewellery,…
• Amber6 sensesA female given name from English, popular in the 1980s and the 1990s.
• ambition6 sensesEager or inordinate desire for some object that confers distinction, as preferment, honor, superiority, political power, or fame; desire to…
• ambitious4 sensesHaving or showing ambition; wanting a lot of power, honor, respect, superiority, or other distinction.
• ambrose1 senseA sweet-scented herb; ambrosia (Dysphania botrys).
• Ambrose5 sensesA male given name from Ancient Greek.
• ambulance6 sensesAn emergency vehicle designed for transporting seriously ill or injured people to a hospital.
• ambush7 sensesThe act of concealing oneself and lying in wait to attack or kill by surprise.
• ambushed2 sensesHaving been the target of an ambush.
• amelia1 senseThe congenital absence of one or more limbs.
• Amelia2 sensesA female given name from the Germanic languages.
• amen6 sensesAt the end of a religious prayer: so be it.
• Amen2 sensesJesus, Son of God, as the authority.
• amendment5 sensesAn alteration or change for the better; correction of a fault or of faults; reformation of life by quitting vices.
• amends1 senseCompensation for an injury or loss; recompense; reparation.
• America4 sensesA supercontinent consisting of North America, Central America and South America regarded as a whole; in full, the Americas.
• American14 sensesA citizen or national of the United States of America.
• Americas1 senseA supercontinent consisting of North America, Central America and South America regarded as a whole.
• Ames15 sensesA surname.
• Ami1 senseA town in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
• amid1 senseIn the middle of; in the center of; surrounded by.
• amidst1 senseIn the midst or middle of; surrounded or encompassed by; among.
• amigo3 sensesA friend.
• Amir2 sensesA male given name from Arabic.
• Amish2 sensesA strict Anabaptist sect living mainly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.
• ammo3 sensesAmmunition.
• ammonia2 sensesA gaseous, toxic compound of hydrogen and nitrogen, NH₃, with a pungent smell and taste.
• ammunition4 sensesArticles used in charging firearms and ordnance of all kinds; as powder, balls, shot, shells, percussion caps, rockets, etc.
• amnesia3 sensesLoss of memory; forgetfulness.
• amnesty3 sensesForgetfulness; cessation of remembrance of wrong; oblivion.
• Amnesty1 senseAmnesty International, a UK-based charity.
• among13 sensesOf a person or thing: in the midst of and surrounded by (other people or things).
• amongst1 senseDenotes a mingling or intermixing with distinct or separable objects. See usage note at amidst.
• Amor3 sensesAn asteroid that orbits between the orbits of Earth and Mars.
• Amos8 sensesA male given name from Hebrew.
• amount6 sensesThe total, aggregate or sum of material (not applicable to discrete numbers or units or items in standard English).
• amp4 sensesTo amplify.
• ample5 sensesA fully sufficient or abundant quantity of; enough or more than enough.
• Amsterdam15 sensesA city and municipality of North Holland, Netherlands; the capital city of the Netherlands.
• amulet1 senseA religious article, protective charm, or ornament, usually bearing cultural or magical symbols, worn for protection against ill will, negative…
• amuse4 sensesTo entertain or occupy (someone or something) in a pleasant manner; to stir (someone) with pleasing emotions.
• amused3 sensesPleasurably entertained.
• amusement2 sensesEntertainment.
• amusing2 sensesEntertaining.
• Amy2 sensesA female given name from Latin.
• an10 sensesForm of a (all article senses). Used before a vowel sound.
• AN1 senseA set of sizes for screw threads agreed upon and jointly used by the United States Army and Navy.
• ana4 sensesA collection of things associated with a person or place, especially a personal collection of anecdotes or conversations at table
• Ana5 sensesA female given name, equivalent to English Anna or Hannah.
• anal8 sensesOf, related to, intended for or involving the anus.
• Anal3 sensesAn ethnic group found in Manipur in India, and in Burma/Myanmar, closely related to the Kuki people.
• analogy3 sensesA relationship of resemblance or equivalence between two situations, people, or objects, especially when used as a basis for explanation or…
• analysis7 sensesDecomposition into components in order to study (a complex thing, concept, theory, etc.).
• analyst6 sensesSomeone who analyzes.
• analyze4 sensesTo subject to analysis.
• analyzed1 senseHaving been subject to analysis; examined closely, carefully considered.
• Anand5 sensesA male given name from Sanskrit.
• anarchist5 sensesOne who believes in or advocates the absence of hierarchy and authority in most forms (compare anarchism), especially one who works toward the…
• anarchy4 sensesThe state of a society being without authorities or an authoritative governing body.
• Anastasia2 sensesA female given name from Ancient Greek.
• anatomy8 sensesThe science that deals with the form and structure of organic bodies; anatomical structure or organization.
• ancestor6 sensesOne from whom a person is descended, whether on the father's or mother's side, at any distance of time; a progenitor; a forefather; a forebear.
• ancestral10 sensesOf, pertaining to, derived from, or possessed by, an ancestor or ancestors.
• anchor29 sensesA tool used to moor a vessel to the bottom of a sea or river to resist movement.
• Anchor1 senseA male given name.
• ancient11 sensesHaving lasted from a remote period; having been of long duration; of great age, very old.
• ancients1 senseThe people of classical antiquity, especially such writers and philosophers.
• and19 sensesAs a coordinating conjunction; expressing two elements to be taken together or in addition to each other. Used simply to connect two noun phrases,…
• AND2 sensesThe binary operator and, only true if both of two inputs is true. In infix notation.
• Anders2 sensesA surname.
• Anderson25 sensesA Scottish surname originating as a patronymic.
• Andi1 senseA Northeast Caucasian language of Russia.
• Andie2 sensesA diminutive of the male given name Andrew, from Ancient Greek.
• Andre1 senseA male given name from French, an anglicized form of André.
• André1 senseA male given name from French or Portuguese, borrowed from the French and Portuguese form of Andrew.