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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)

anchors
plural-nounB2
/ˈæŋkəz/Heavy devices, typically made of metal, dropped from a vessel to the seabed to prevent drifting.
anchorwoman
nounB2
/ˈæŋ.kəˌwʊm.ən/A woman who presents news programmes on television or radio, typically as the main presenter.
anchoveta
nounRare / Specialized
/ˌantʃə(ʊ)ˈvɛtə/A small fish, *Engraulis ringens*, from the anchovy family, found in large schools in the Humboldt Current off the coast of Peru and Chile.
anchovy
nounB2
/ˈæn.tʃə.vi/A small, strong-tasting, oily saltwater fish, typically sold salted, canned, or as a paste.
anchovy pear
nounVery low / Obscure
/ˌæn.tʃə.vi ˈpeə(r)/A tropical tree (Grias cauliflora) native to Jamaica and Central America, or its edible fruit, which has a flavour resembling anchovies when cooked.
anchusa
nounVery Low
/aŋˈkjuːzə/A plant of the borage family, with bright blue or purple flowers.
anchusin
nounVery rare / Technical / Obsolete
/ˈæŋkjʊsɪn/A natural red pigment or dye derived from certain plants, especially from the roots of the alkanet (Anchusa) species.
anchylose
verbVery Low (Technical/Literary)
/ˈæŋkɪləʊz/To stiffen or become stiff, especially a joint, by abnormal adhesion of bones.
anchylostomiasis
nounExtremely rare, technical term
/ˌæŋkɪləʊstəˈmaɪəsɪs/Hookworm disease.
ancien regime
nounC1
/ˌɒ̃.sjæ̃ reɪˈʒiːm/The political and social system of France before the Revolution of 1789, characterized by absolute monarchy, feudal privileges, and a rigid class structure.
ancienne noblesse
nounLow (C2)
/ˌɒ̃.sjɛn nəʊˈblɛs/The hereditary aristocracy of pre-revolutionary France; the 'old nobility' distinguished from later ennobled families.
ancienne-lorette
nounVery Low
/ˌɒ̃.sjɛn lɔːˈrɛt/A city in Quebec, Canada, located within the Quebec City metropolitan area.
ancient
adjectivenounHigh
/ˈeɪnʃənt/extremely old, belonging to the very distant past
ancient greek
nounC1
/ˌeɪnʃ(ə)nt ˈɡriːk/The historical Indo-European language spoken in ancient Greece from approximately the 9th century BC to the 6th century AD, including its various dialects.
ancient history
nounC1
/ˌeɪnʃənt ˈhɪst(ə)ri/The period of recorded human history from the earliest civilizations (e.g., Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome) up to approximately the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD.
ancient lights
nounLow
/ˌeɪnʃənt ˈlaɪts/A legal right, in English and Welsh property law, to receive sufficient natural daylight through a window or opening that has existed for at least 20 years.
ancient monument
nounB2
/ˌeɪnʃənt ˈmɒnjʊmənt/An old structure, building, or site of historical or archaeological significance that is protected by law.
ancient mystic order rosae crucis
nounLow
/ˈeɪnʃənt ˈmɪstɪk ˈɔːdə ˈrəʊziː ˈkruːsɪs/A specific esoteric and philosophical organization, often abbreviated as AMORC, claiming Rosicrucian lineage and focusing on mystical teachings, personal development, and spiritual knowledge.
ancient of days
nounLow
/ˌeɪnʃənt əv ˈdeɪz/A title for God as the eternal, everlasting, and unchanging deity.
ancient wisdom
nounC1
/ˌeɪnʃ(ə)nt ˈwɪzdəm/Deep, timeless knowledge or principles, often of a philosophical, spiritual, or practical nature, passed down from past generations or civilizations.

Showing 4581–4600 of 8734 words.