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)

afterglow
nounC1
/ˈɑːftəɡləʊ/The light or glow remaining in the sky after sunset, or a pleasant feeling remaining after a positive experience.
aftergrowth
nounLow/Very Low
/ˈɑːftəɡrəʊθ/A secondary growth of vegetation that appears after the main or initial crop/harvest has been removed or has died back.
afterguard
nounVery Low
/ˈɑːftəɡɑːd/The officers or senior sailors responsible for steering and navigating a sailing ship, stationed at the stern.
afterheat
nounC2
/ˈɑːftəhiːt/The residual heat remaining in a system, reactor, or material after the primary heating source is removed or shut down.
afterimage
nounC1
/ˈɑːftərɪmɪdʒ/A visual impression that remains after the original stimulus causing it has ceased.
afterlife
nounC1
/ˈɑːftəlaɪf/A life or existence believed to follow death.
afterlight
nounRare/Low
/ˈɑːftəlaɪt/A light that appears or is seen after the main source of light has faded; often used metaphorically for a late or retrospective understanding or perspective.
aftermarket
nounC1
/ˈɑːftəˌmɑːkɪt/The market for goods, services, and parts that are available after the original sale of a product, especially vehicles or electronics.
aftermath
nounB2
/ˈɑːftəmɑːθ/The situation or consequences following an unpleasant or destructive event.
afternoon
adjectivenounA1
/ˌɑːf.təˈnuːn/The period of the day from noon until evening.
afternoon watch
nounLow (specialist/maritime context); Rare (general usage)
/ˌɑːftəˈnuːn wɒtʃ/A specific watch duty period on a ship, traditionally from noon to 4 PM.
afternooner
nounVery Low
/ˌɑːftəˈnuːnə/A person who attends a matinee performance or an event scheduled for the afternoon.
afterpain
nounRare
/ˈɑːftəpeɪn/Pain that follows and results from an earlier event, trauma, or procedure.
afterpains
plural-nounC1
/ˈɑːf.tə.peɪnz/Intermittent, cramping pains felt in the lower abdomen after childbirth, caused by contraction of the uterus as it returns to its normal size.
afterparty
nounB2
/ˈɑːftəˌpɑːti/A social gathering held after a main event, such as a concert, play, or official party, often more informal and intimate.
afterpeak
nounVery Low (C2+)
/ˈɑːftəpiːk/A compartment at the stern of a ship, behind the main cargo holds, often used for storage or as a water tank.
afterpiece
nounHistorical / Obsolete
/ˈɑːftəpiːs/A short theatrical performance, typically a farce or pantomime, presented after the main play in the 18th and 19th centuries.
afters
nounB1
/ˈɑːf.təz/Dessert, the sweet course served after the main meal.
aftersensation
nounC1+
/ˌɑːftəsɛnˈseɪʃən/A sensory impression, especially of light or colour, that persists after the original stimulus has ceased.
aftershaft
nounC2
/ˈɑːftəʃɑːft/A secondary or supplementary feather, typically a smaller one growing from the base of the shaft of a main feather (contour feather) in some birds.

Showing 1961–1980 of 8734 words.