Alphabetical word directory
English words starting with A
Showing words 1,081–1,200 of 3,162. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.
algonquian
adjRelating to a family of North American Indian languages formerly spoken across a vast area, or to the peoples speaking these languages.
algorithm
nA set of rules or instructions for solving a problem or completing a task, especially by a computer.
algorithmic
adjRelating to or using algorithms; involving a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing some end.
alias
nA false or assumed name, especially one used by a criminal.
alibi
nA claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a criminal one, is alleged to have taken place.
alien
adjBelonging to a foreign country or nation.
alienable
adj(of property or a right) able to be transferred to new ownership.
alienate
vto cause someone to feel isolated or estranged
alienated
adjFeeling isolated or estranged from a group or activity.
alienating
adjCausing someone to feel isolated or estranged.
alienation
nthe feeling of being isolated or separated from a group or an activity to which one should belong.
alienist
nA psychiatrist or medical expert who assesses the mental competence of a defendant or witness in a court of law, especially in historical contexts.
alienness
nThe quality or state of being alien, strange, or foreign.
alight
vTo step down from a vehicle or from a horse.
align
vTo arrange things in a straight line or in the correct position relative to each other.
aligned
adjArranged in a straight line or in correct relative positions.
alignment
nThe arrangement of things in a straight line or in correct relative positions.
alike
adjvery similar; almost the same
alimentary
adjRelating to nourishment or nutrition.
alimony
nAn allowance for support that a court orders one spouse to pay to the other after a legal separation or divorce.
aliquot
adjDenoting or representing an exact divisor of a quantity, especially an integer that divides another integer without leaving a remainder.
alive
adjliving; not dead
aliveness
nthe state or condition of being alive, especially in a full, energetic, or conscious way.
aliyah
nthe immigration of Jews to Israel
alizarin
nA red crystalline compound formerly obtained from madder root and now synthesized, used as a dye.
alkali
na chemical substance that reacts with acids to form a salt and has a ph greater than 7.
alkaline
adjHaving the properties of an alkali; containing an alkali; having a pH greater than 7.
alkalinity
nthe state or quality of being alkaline; the amount of alkali present in a solution.
alkaloid
nany of a large group of nitrogen-containing organic compounds, often of plant origin, which typically have physiological effects on humans and other animals (e.g., morphine, caffeine, nicotine).
alkyd
na synthetic resin used in paints and varnishes, made by combining a polyhydric alcohol with a polybasic acid.
all
detused to refer to the whole quantity or extent of a particular group or thing
all-access
adjallowing entry, use, or participation without restriction or limitation
all-ages
adjSuitable for or intended to be enjoyed by people of all ages, especially children and adults.
all-aluminum
adjMade entirely of the metal aluminum.
All-American
adjRepresenting the best qualities or ideals of the United States, especially in appearance, character, or achievement.
all-around
adjinvolving or having skill in many different areas or subjects
all-beef
adjConsisting entirely of beef, with no other meat or filler ingredients.
all-black
adjCompletely black in color.
all-business
adjcompletely serious and focused on work or a task, with no time for casual or social matters
all-carbon
adjMade entirely from carbon or carbon-based materials.
all-cash
adjInvolving or consisting entirely of money in the form of cash, without the use of credit, financing, or other assets.
all-city
adjInvolving, representing, or including the entire city, especially in the context of sports or competitions.
all-clear
na signal that a dangerous situation has ended and it is safe to return to normal activities
all-conference
adjDesignating an athlete who has been selected for a conference-wide all-star team, especially in North American collegiate sports.
all-consuming
adjTaking up all of one's time and attention; completely absorbing or dominating.
all-cotton
adjMade entirely of cotton fabric or fiber.
all-day
adjLasting for, occupying, or available throughout the entire day.
all-defensive
adjRelating to or focused entirely on defensive strategies or play, especially in sports.
all-digital
adjUsing or involving only digital technology, with no analogue components or processes.
all-district
adjIncluding or involving all the districts of a particular area, especially in the context of sports or competitions.
all-electric
adjPowered entirely by electricity; not using any other source of power such as gasoline.
all-embracing
adjincluding or considering everything or everyone; comprehensive.
all-encompassing
adjIncluding or covering everything or everyone; comprehensive.
all-expense-paid
adj(of a trip, holiday, etc.) having all costs, such as travel, accommodation, and food, paid for by someone else, typically as a prize or a benefit.
all-expenses-paid
adj(of a trip, holiday, etc.) having all the costs paid for by someone else, especially an employer or sponsor
all-female
adjConsisting entirely of women or girls.
all-german
adjRelating to or involving all of Germany or its people.
all-girl
adjConsisting entirely of girls or young women.
all-important
adjextremely important; vital
all-in-one
adjcombining two or more items or functions into a single unit
all-inclusive
adjincluding everything or everyone, especially all the costs or services involved in a price
all-knowing
adjKnowing everything; having complete or infinite knowledge.
all-male
adjConsisting of, intended for, or involving only men or boys.
all-metal
adjMade entirely of metal.
all-mountain
adj(of a bicycle, skis, etc.) designed to be suitable for a wide variety of terrain and conditions, rather than being specialized for one specific type.
all-natural
adjMade from ingredients that are found in nature and not made or changed artificially.
all-nba
adjDesignating a player selected for one of the three honorary teams (First, Second, or Third Team) composed of the best performers in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for a given season.
all-new
adjCompletely new; entirely different from what existed before.
all-news
adjRelating to or being a media format, especially a radio or television station, that broadcasts only news content.
all-night
adjLasting for the whole night.
all-nighter
nA period of staying awake all night, especially to study or work.
all-optical
adjRelating to or using only light and optical components, without conversion into electronic signals.
all-or-nothing
adjDescribing a situation or approach where there are only two possible outcomes: complete success or total failure, with no middle ground or partial result.
all-out
adjinvolving the maximum effort or commitment
all-over
adjCovering the entire surface of something.
all-party
adjInvolving or representing all the political parties in a country or assembly.
all-pervasive
adjpresent or noticeable in every part of a thing or place
all-points
adjInvolving or covering all possible points, locations, or aspects.
all-powerful
adjHaving complete power; omnipotent.
all-pro
adjDesignating a player selected for an all-star team, especially in professional sports.
all-purpose
adjSuitable for many different uses or functions.
all-round
adjHaving a wide range of abilities or uses; versatile or comprehensive.
all-russian
adjOf or relating to the whole of Russia; involving or intended for all of Russia.
all-season
adjsuitable for or usable in all seasons of the year.
all-seeing
adjseeing or observing everything; having unlimited awareness or knowledge.
all-sky
adjCovering or involving the entire visible sky.
all-sports
adjRelating to or involving all types of sports.
all-star
adjconsisting of or involving the best or most famous performers in a particular field, especially sports or entertainment
all-state
adjRelating to or involving all the states of a particular country, especially the United States.
all-stater
nA high school athlete who has been selected to represent their state in a prestigious all-star competition or team.
all-suite
adj(of a hotel or other accommodation) consisting entirely of suites
all-terrain
adjDesigned or suitable for use on all types of ground, including rough and uneven surfaces.
all-time
adjhaving achieved the highest level or record in history
all-too-brief
adjlasting for a disappointingly short time; regrettably short.
all-too-common
adjUsed to describe something that happens or exists so frequently that it is regrettable, predictable, or unremarkable.
all-too-familiar
adjUsed to describe something that is known or recognized very well, often in a way that is negative, boring, or unwelcome.
all-too-human
adjUsed to describe a common human weakness or failing that is seen as very typical and unsurprising.
all-too-real
adjUsed to emphasize that something, often something unpleasant or frightening, is undeniably true or genuine.
all-tournament
adjDesignating a player or team selected as the best in an entire tournament, often in recognition of outstanding performance.
all-union
adjRelating to or encompassing the entire Soviet Union.
all-volunteer
adjComposed entirely of volunteers, without any conscripted or paid members.
all-weather
adjdesigned or able to be used in all types of weather conditions.
all-wheel
adjRelating to or involving all the wheels of a vehicle, typically describing a drive system that can power all wheels.
all-wheel-drive
nA system that provides power to all four wheels of a vehicle simultaneously for improved traction.
all-white
adjConsisting entirely of white people or things; exclusively white.
all-world
adjIncluding or involving the entire world; global or worldwide in scope.
allay
vto make (an unpleasant feeling) less strong
allegation
nA statement that someone has done something wrong or illegal, but which has not been proved.
allege
vTo state that someone has done something illegal or wrong without giving proof.
alleged
adjsaid or thought to be true or to have happened, but not yet proven
allegedly
advaccording to what has been claimed or stated by others, without having been proven.
allegiance
nloyalty or commitment to a superior, government, group, or cause.
allegorical
adjconsisting of or forming an allegory; using symbols to represent abstract ideas.
allegorically
advin a way that uses or contains allegory; symbolically.
allegorize
vto interpret or represent something as an allegory.
allegory
na story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
allegro
adv(of a piece of music) to be played in a quick, lively tempo
allele
nOne of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome.
allelopathy
nThe harmful effect of one living plant (usually through chemical substances released into the environment) on another living plant.
alleluia
interjAn exclamation of praise to God.