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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)

apopyle
nounVery Low
/ˈæp.ə.paɪl/In sponges (phylum Porifera), an opening or pore through which filtered water exits a flagellated chamber.
aporia
nounLow
/əˈpɔː.rɪ.ə/A state of uncertainty, doubt, or perplexity, especially arising from a logical impasse or contradiction.
aposiopesis
nounVery Rare
/ˌæpə(ʊ)ˌsʌɪəˈpiːsɪs/A rhetorical device where a speaker suddenly breaks off in mid-sentence, leaving the statement unfinished, often for dramatic or emotional effect.
apospory
nounExtremely Rare
/əˈpɒspəri/A reproductive process in certain plants where a sporophyte develops directly from a gametophyte cell without the formation of spores.
apostasy
nounC2
/əˈpɒstəsi/The formal renunciation or abandonment of a previously held religious faith, political belief, or doctrine.
apostate
adjectivenounC1
/əˈpɒs.teɪt/A person who renounces a religious or political belief, principle, or cause.
apostatize
verbverb-intransitiveC2
/əˈpɒstətaɪz/To formally abandon or renounce one's religious faith, political party, or principles.
apostil
nounRare / Technical
/əˈpɒstɪl/A marginal note or annotation, especially one in a book.
apostilb
nounVery Rare (Specialized Technical)
/ˈæpəstɪlb/A unit of luminance equal to one ten-thousandth of a lambert, used in the measurement of diffuse reflection or emission of light.
apostle
nounC1
/əˈpɒsl̩/Each of the twelve chief disciples of Jesus Christ, sent out to spread his teachings.
apostle bird
nounVery Low (Specialist)
/əˈpɒs.əl ˌbɜːd/A distinctive grey and black Australian bird, known for its gregarious, social behavior.
apostle pitcher
nounvery low
/əˈpɒs.əl ˈpɪtʃ.ə/A specific historical type of ceramic pitcher or jug manufactured in the United States during the 19th century, characterized by relief-molded figures of the Twelve Apostles.
apostle plant
nounLow
/əˌpɒs.l̩ ˈplɑːnt/A tropical climbing vine (Neomarica caerulea), also known as the walking iris, noted for its sword-shaped leaves and striking blue and white flowers.
apostle spoon
nounRare
/əˈpɒs.əl ˌspuːn/A silver spoon with a figure of one of the twelve apostles as the terminal of the handle.
apostlebird
nounLow
/əˈpɒs(ə)lbɜːd/A medium-sized, grey Australian bird known for living and breeding in large, noisy family groups.
apostles' creed
nounLow
/əˈpɒs.əlz ˈkriːd/A foundational statement of Christian belief, traditionally attributed to the twelve apostles.
apostolate
nounC2
/əˈpɒstələt/The position, period of activity, or mission of an apostle.
apostolic age
nounC2
/ˌapəˈstɒlɪk eɪdʒ/The period in early Christian history, traditionally spanning from the day of Pentecost to the death of the last Apostle (John, around 100 AD), during which the apostles lived, taught, and spread Christianity.
apostolic church
nounC1-C2 / Very Low Frequency / Technical
/ˌapəˈstɒlɪk tʃɜːtʃ/A Christian denomination that places strong emphasis on the continuation of the practices, structure, and spiritual authority believed to originate directly from the apostles of Jesus Christ.
apostolic delegate
nounLow
/ˌapəˈstɒlɪk ˈdɛlɪɡət/A representative of the Pope in a country that does not have formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See, appointed to handle church affairs.

Showing 5921–5940 of 8734 words.