Alphabetical word directory
English words starting with A
Showing words 2,521–2,640 of 3,162. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.
artifactual
adjRelating to or being an artifact, especially one that is misleading or arises from the process of observation or investigation.
artifice
nthe use of clever and often dishonest methods to deceive or trick people
artificer
na skilled maker or inventor; a craftsman or craftswoman.
artificial
adjMade or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, especially as a copy of something natural.
artificial-intelligence
nThe theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.
artificiality
nthe quality of being artificial; something that is not natural or genuine.
artificially
advin a way that is made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally
artillery
nLarge-caliber guns used in warfare on land.
artilleryman
na soldier in the artillery; a gunner.
artisan
na person who is skilled at making things by hand, especially in a traditional way.
artisanal
adjRelating to or characteristic of an artisan; made in a traditional or non-mechanized way.
artist
nA person who creates paintings, drawings, or other works of art, especially as a profession.
artist-in-residence
nAn artist, especially a visual artist, musician, or writer, who is invited to work for a specific period within a host institution such as a university, museum, or community organization.
artiste
na professional entertainer, such as a singer or dancer, especially one with great skill and style.
artistic
adjhaving or showing natural creative skill or the ability to create things.
artistically
advin a way that shows skill and imagination in creating things, especially in art.
artistry
nthe skill of an artist
artless
adjWithout guile or deception; innocent and honest.
artlessly
advIn a manner that is natural, simple, and without any attempt to deceive or pretend.
arts-based
adjRelating to or using the arts as a primary method or foundation.
artsy
adjshowing an excessive or affected interest in the arts, often in a way that is pretentious.
artwork
nworks of art, such as paintings, drawings, or sculptures, considered as a group.
arty
adjshowing an ostentatious or pretentious interest in the arts; having artistic or aesthetic interests, often in an affected or showy way.
arugula
na plant with long, green leaves that have a strong, peppery flavor, often used in salads
arum
nAny plant of the genus Arum, especially the common wild arum (Arum maculatum) of Europe, having arrow-shaped leaves and a flowering spike enclosed in a pale green or purple spathe.
Aryan
nA member of the peoples speaking an Indo-European language who invaded northern India in the 2nd millennium BC.
arytenoid
adjRelating to or denoting a pair of cartilages at the back of the larynx, to which the vocal cords are attached.
as
advto the same degree or amount; equally
as-needed
adjDone, used, or available only when necessary or required.
as-tested
adjDescribing a product, system, or component in the exact condition and configuration in which it was evaluated, with performance data corresponding to that specific state.
as-yet-unnamed
adjNot yet given a name; still without a name.
asbestos
nA soft, fibrous mineral that is highly resistant to heat and fire, formerly used in building materials.
asbestos-containing
adjcontaining or holding asbestos as a component or ingredient.
asbestos-related
adjconnected to or caused by asbestos, a fibrous mineral known to be hazardous to health.
asbestosis
nA chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, resulting in inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue.
ascend
vTo go up or climb something.
ascendance
nThe state of being in power, control, or a position of dominance.
ascendancy
na position of power, influence, or control.
ascendant
adjrising in power or influence.
ascendency
nA position of power, influence, or controlling force.
ascender
nA part of a lowercase letter that extends above the main body, as in 'b', 'd', or 'h'.
ascending
adjMoving, going, or sloping upward.
ascension
nThe act of rising or moving upwards.
ascent
nthe act of climbing or moving upwards; a journey up a mountain
ascertain
vTo find out or learn something with certainty.
ascertainable
adjAble to be discovered or found out for certain.
ascetic
adjPracticing strict self-denial or self-discipline, especially for spiritual reasons.
asceticism
nthe practice of avoiding physical pleasures and living a simple life, often for religious reasons.
ASCII
nA standard code for representing text characters in computers and communication equipment, using numbers to represent letters, digits, punctuation marks, and control signals.
ascites
nThe accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, causing abdominal swelling.
ascot
nA man's broad necktie or scarf, typically patterned, that is looped under the chin and worn folded over so that the ends lie flat.
ascribe
vto say or think that something is caused by a particular thing or person
ascribed
vTo attribute something to a particular cause or source.
ascription
nThe act of attributing something to a particular cause or source.
ascriptive
adjRelating to or involving the act of ascribing or attributing a quality, status, or characteristic to someone or something.
aseptic
adjfree from bacteria or other living microorganisms; completely clean and sterile.
aseptically
advin a manner free from contamination by harmful bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms.
asexual
adjNot involving, characterized by, or relating to sexual activity, attraction, or reproduction.
asexually
advIn a manner that does not involve sexual processes, reproduction, or attraction.
ash
nthe soft grey or black powder that is left after something, especially tobacco, wood, or coal, has burnt
ash-blond
adj(of hair) very pale blond, almost greyish or whitish in colour.
ashamed
adjfeeling shame or embarrassment because of one's actions, characteristics, or associations.
ashen
adjof the pale gray color of wood ash.
ashen-faced
adjhaving a very pale face, especially because of illness, shock, or fear
ashkenazi
nA member of the Jewish people who historically lived in and whose traditions developed in central and eastern Europe.
ashkenazic
adjrelating to or characteristic of the ashkenazim, a jewish people of central and eastern europe.
ashore
advto or onto the land from the sea or a river
ashram
nA place of religious retreat or community life for Hindus, often under the guidance of a spiritual teacher.
ashtray
nA small dish or container for tobacco ash and cigarette butts.
ashy
adjcovered with or resembling ash; pale gray in color like ashes.
asia-pacific
adjRelating to or involving the countries of Asia and the Pacific region.
Asian
adjFrom, relating to, or characteristic of the continent of Asia.
Asian-American
adjOf or relating to Americans of Asian ancestry or to their culture.
asian-inspired
adjShowing the influence of the styles, techniques, or ingredients of Asia or Asian cultures.
asian-owned
adjDescribing a business, property, or enterprise that is owned by a person or people of Asian descent.
asian-style
adjCharacteristic of or resembling the customs, manners, or aesthetics associated with Asia or its peoples.
asiatic
adjRelating to or characteristic of Asia or its people, customs, or languages.
aside
advto or on one side
asinine
adjextremely stupid or foolish
ask
vTo say something in order to get an answer or some information.
askance
advWith a side glance; sideways.
askari
nA local soldier serving in the army of a European colonial power, especially in East Africa.
askew
advNot in a straight or level position; crookedly.
asking
v(present participle of ask) To say something in order to obtain an answer or information.
aslant
advat a slant; obliquely
asleep
adjin a state of sleep
asocial
adjavoiding social interaction; not sociable.
asparagus
na tall plant with long, thin, green stems that are eaten as a vegetable.
aspartame
nAn artificial, low-calorie substance used as a sweetener in foods and drinks.
aspect
na particular part or feature of something
aspen
nA type of poplar tree with leaves that flutter easily in the wind.
aspergillosis
nA disease, especially of the lungs, caused by infection with a fungus of the genus *Aspergillus*.
asperity
nHarshness of tone or manner; severity.
asperse
vTo spread false or damaging accusations about someone; to slander.
aspersion
nAn attack on someone's reputation or good name, often by making false or misleading statements.
asphalt
na black, sticky substance used especially for making the surface of roads
asphyxia
nA condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death; suffocation.
asphyxiate
vto cause someone to die or become unconscious by blocking their breathing or depriving them of oxygen.
asphyxiation
nThe condition of being deprived of oxygen, leading to unconsciousness or death; suffocation.
aspic
nA savory jelly made from meat stock, used as a garnish or to contain pieces of meat, seafood, or vegetables.
aspirant
na person who has a strong desire to achieve something important, such as a high position or an honor.
aspirate
vTo pronounce a sound with an audible puff of breath.
aspirated
adj(Phonetics) Pronounced with an audible, breathy release of air, as in the initial sound of 'pit' or 'tin' in English.
aspiration
nA strong desire to achieve something high or great.
aspirational
adjRelating to or characterized by a strong desire to achieve something high or great.
aspire
vTo have a strong desire to achieve or become something, typically something ambitious.
aspirin
nA common drug used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation.
aspiring
adjHaving a strong desire to achieve something or to be successful in a particular activity or profession.
ass
nA donkey.
ass-kicking
adjExtremely effective, forceful, or impressive.
assail
vTo attack someone violently or criticize them strongly.
assailant
nA person who attacks another person physically or verbally.
assassin
nA person who murders an important person for political or religious reasons.
assassinate
vTo murder (a prominent person) by a sudden or secret attack, often for political or religious reasons.
assassinated
verb (past tense, past participle)Murdered (a prominent person) by a sudden or secret attack, often for political or religious reasons.
assassination
nThe murder of an important person, especially for political or religious reasons.
assault
nA violent physical or verbal attack.
assault-weapons
nA term, not a formal legal classification, used to describe certain semi-automatic firearms with features similar to those used by military forces.
assaulted
v(past tense and past participle of assault) to make a violent physical attack on someone
assaultive
adjcharacterized by a violent physical or verbal attack