English Words Starting With A

• abrade

  verbverb-ambitransitiveC1
  /əˈbreɪd/To scrape or wear away the surface of something through friction.
• abraham

  nounC1
  /ˈeɪ.brə.hæm/A masculine given name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'father of multitudes' or 'exalted father', and also referring to the biblical patriarch of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
• abraham's bosom

  nounC2
  /ˈeɪ.brə.hæmz ˈbʊz.əm/A biblical idiom for the abode of the righteous dead, representing a state of bliss and comfort in the afterlife, derived from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
• abram

  nounarchaic
  /ˈeɪbrəm/A state of feigned insanity or idiocy; to pretend to be insane.
• abraser

  nounC1 - C2 / Low
  /əˈbreɪ.zə(r)/A tool, material, or substance used to wear away a surface through friction; an abrasive agent.
• abrash

  nounC2 / Very Low Frequency / Specialist
  /əˈbrɑːʃ/A variation in colour or tone, typically intentional, within a single textile (especially an Oriental rug or kilim), caused by using yarns from different dye batches.
• abrasion

  nounC1
  /əˈbreɪ.ʒən/A damaged area of the skin where the surface has been scraped or worn away.
• abrasive

  adjectivenounB2
  /əˈbreɪ.sɪv/A material or substance used for grinding, polishing, or cleaning a surface by rubbing or scraping.
• abraxas

  nounVery rare
  /əˈbræksəs/A mystical word or symbol, originally representing a deity or the sum of a year's days in Gnostic and related beliefs.
• abrazo

  nounUncommon (In English contexts). It is a loanword primarily used when discussing Spanish or Latin American culture, language, or literature.
  /əˈbrɑːθəʊ/The act of embracing or hugging; a hug. Often used to signify a greeting, farewell, congratulations, or comfort.
• abreact

  verbverb-transitiveRare / Technical (C2)
  /ˌabrɪˈakt/To release (repressed emotions or associated psychic energy) by verbally recounting or acting out the original traumatic experience, often in therapy.
• abreaction

  nounC2
  /ˌabrɪˈakʃ(ə)n/The psychological process of releasing and thereby relieving a previously repressed emotion or traumatic experience.
• abri

  nounLow frequency; Technical/Specialist
  /ˈɑːbriː/ or /ˈæbriː/A natural or artificial shelter, such as a cave or recess, often used historically for protection from the elements.
• abridge

  verbverb-transitiveB2
  /əˈbrɪdʒ/To shorten a text, film, or other work by removing parts while keeping the essence of its content.
• abridged

  adjectiveverbC1
  /əˈbrɪdʒd/Shortened or condensed by omitting parts while retaining the main content and narrative.
• abridgment

  nounC1
  /əˈbrɪdʒ.mənt/A shortened or condensed version of a book, speech, or other text, retaining the essential content.
• abrin

  nounC2 (Extremely rare, technical/scientific)
  /ˈeɪ.brɪn/a highly toxic protein found in the seeds of the jequirity pea (Abrus precatorius) that inhibits protein synthesis within cells
• abroad

  adjectiveadverbnounB1
  /əˈbrɔːd/In or to a foreign country or countries.
• abrogate

  verbverb-transitiveC2
  /ˈabrəɡeɪt/To officially end or cancel a law, agreement, or responsibility.
• abrogation

  nounC1
  /ˌabrəˈɡeɪʃ(ə)n/The official, formal, and complete repeal or abolition of a law, agreement, or formal obligation.

Showing 281–300 of 8734 words.