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English Words Starting With A

8,734 entries — pick a word to see its definition, pronunciation, and usage.

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Noun Verb Adjective Adverb Plural noun Combining form Verb (transitive)Verb (intransitive)Verb (ambitransitive)

altar rail
nounLow (C2)
/ˈɔːltə ˌreɪl/A physical barrier, typically a low rail, that separates the sanctuary area containing the altar from the rest of the church, demarcating a sacred space.
altar stone
nounLow (C1/C2)
/ˈɔːltə stəʊn/A large, consecrated stone slab or table forming the central part of a Christian altar, where the Eucharistic ceremony is performed.
altarage
nounC2
/ˈɔːlt(ə)rɪdʒ/Offerings or donations made at a church altar; historically, the revenue or income derived from such offerings.
altarpiece
nounC2
/ˈɔːl.tə.piːs/A work of art, often a painting or sculpture, placed above and behind an altar in a Christian church.
altazimuth
nounVery low
/ælˈtæzɪməθ/A telescope mounting that allows independent movement in altitude (vertical angle) and azimuth (horizontal angle).
altazimuth mounting
nounVery Low
/ælˈtæz.ɪ.məθ ˈmaʊn.tɪŋ/A two-axis support system for an instrument, allowing movement up-down (altitude) and left-right (azimuth).
altcoin
nounC1-C2 (Specialized/Technical)
/ˈɒltkɔɪn/, /ˈɔːltkɔɪn/A cryptocurrency other than Bitcoin.
altdorf
nounRare
/ˈaltdɔːf/A common place name in German-speaking regions, meaning "old village" or "old town".
altdorfer
nounLow/Very Low
/ˈaltdɔːfə/A proper noun referring to the German Renaissance painter and printmaker Albrecht Altdorfer (c.1480–1538), associated with the Danube School.
alte pinakothek
nounLow
/ˌæltə pɪˈnækəθɛk/A major art museum in Munich, Germany, housing a collection of European paintings from the 14th to 18th centuries.
alter
verbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveB2
/ˈɔːltə(r)/To change or make different, often in a small but significant way.
alter ego
nounC1
/ˌɒl.tər ˈiː.ɡəʊ/A second self or distinct, alternative personality.
alter idem
nounVery Rare
/ˌæltər ˈiːdɛm/A duplicate or copy; another of the same kind.
alterant
adjectivenounRare / Technical
/ˈɔːlt(ə)rənt/Something that causes change or alteration.
alteration
nounB2
/ˌɔːltəˈreɪʃn/A change or modification made to something.
alterative
adjectivenounLow
/ˈɔːlt(ə)rətɪv/Having the power to alter or change something, especially in a gradual or restorative way.
altercate
verbverb-intransitiveRare/Formal
/ˈɔːltəkeɪt/To argue vehemently or quarrel noisily; to engage in a heated dispute.
altercation
nounC1
/ˌɒl.təˈkeɪ.ʃən/A noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public.
altered chord
nounC2 (Proficient)
/ˈɔːltəd kɔːd/A chord in which one or more notes are chromatically changed from their natural diatonic positions, typically by raising or lowering by a semitone, to create tension, colour, or prepare for resolution.
altered state of consciousness
nounC1/C2
/ˈɔːltəd steɪt əv ˈkɒnʃəsnəs/Any condition of awareness which is significantly different from a person's ordinary waking state.

Showing 3581–3600 of 8734 words.