Browse by letter

English Words Starting With A

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

Filter

Parts of speech

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

anticathexis
nounVery low / Academic / Technical
/ˌæntɪkəˈθɛksɪs/In psychoanalytic theory, the process by which mental energy (libido) is withdrawn from an object, idea, or impulse and redirected to block or oppose it.
anticathode
nounExtremely Rare / Technical
/ˌantɪˈkaθəʊd/The target electrode in an X-ray tube which the cathode rays strike to produce X-rays.
anticenter
nounC2 (Very Low Frequency)
/ˈæntiˌsɛntə(r)/The point in the sky directly opposite the center of a specific celestial object, such as the Milky Way galaxy.
antichlor
nounExtremely Rare / Technical Jargon
/ˈæntiˌklɔː(r)/A substance used in chemistry and textile processing to remove excess chlorine or hypochlorite after a bleaching process.
anticholinergic
adjectivenounC2
/ˌantɪˌkəʊlɪˈnɜːdʒɪk/A substance that blocks the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the nervous system.
anticholinesterase
nounVery Low (Technical/Specialized)
/ˌæntiˌkəʊlɪˈnɛstəreɪz/A substance that inhibits the enzyme cholinesterase, thereby increasing levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
antichrist
nounLow
/ˈantɪkrʌɪst/A person or power seen as the ultimate opponent or enemy of Christ, especially a prophesied figure who will spread evil and oppose Christ's return before the end of the world.
antichthon
nounVery Rare
/ænˈtɪkθən/A hypothetical counter-earth or opposing world; in ancient cosmology, a celestial body opposite the earth.
anticipant
adjectivenounC2 (Very Rare)
/anˈtɪs.ɪ.pənt/Expecting or expecting something, often used as an adjective. A person who anticipates.
anticipate
verbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveC1
/ænˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt/to expect or foresee something happening and act, feel, or prepare for it in advance.
anticipated
adjectiveverbB2
/ænˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪ.tɪd/To expect or look forward to something happening; to foresee and act in preparation for something.
anticipation
nounB2
/ænˌtɪs.ɪˈpeɪ.ʃən/the act of looking forward to something, expecting it, or preparing for it before it happens
anticlerical
adjectivenounC2
/ˌæntiˈklerɪk(ə)l/Opposed to the influence and power of the clergy or organised religion, especially in political affairs.
anticlimax
nounC1
/ˌantɪˈklʌɪmaks/a disappointing or less impressive conclusion following a series of exciting events; a letdown after a build-up.
anticline
nounC2
/ˈæntiˌklaɪn/A geological fold in layered rock where the strata slope downwards away from a central, elevated ridge.
anticlinorium
nounC2
/ˌantɪklʌɪˈnɔːrɪəm/A large, composite geological structure consisting of a series of parallel anticlines and synclines, forming a major upward arch in the Earth's crust.
anticoagulant
adjectivenounC1
/ˌæn.ti.kəʊˈæɡ.jə.lənt/A substance that prevents or slows down the clotting of blood.
anticodon
nounLow
/ˌantɪˈkəʊdɒn/A sequence of three nucleotides in a transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule that pairs with a complementary codon in messenger RNA (mRNA) during protein synthesis.
anticoincidence
nounVery low
/ˌæntiːkəʊˈɪnsɪdəns/A condition, state, or arrangement where two or more events are prevented from happening simultaneously; the deliberate exclusion of coinciding signals or occurrences.
anticolonial
adjectivenounC1
/ˌæn.ti.kəˈləʊ.ni.əl/Opposed to colonialism; seeking to end or resist colonial rule.

Showing 5421–5440 of 8734 words.