Words beginning with A

488 words

• ab initio — from the very beginning; used of something invalid from the start
• abandon — to give up or leave something completely
• abandonment — the act of giving something up or leaving it uncared for
• abate — to become less intense or widespread
• abatement — a reduction in the intensity, amount or severity of something
• abbreviate — to shorten a word, title or text
• abdicate — to formally give up a throne, power or a responsibility
• abdication — the giving up of power or of a duty one is bound to perform
• abduct — to take a person away unlawfully by force or deception
• abduction — the offence of unlawfully taking a person away
• aberrant — departing from the accepted or normal standard
• aberration — a departure from what is normal or expected
• abet — to encourage or assist someone in committing an offence
• abetment — the offence of instigating or aiding another to commit a crime
• abeyance — a state of temporary suspension
• abhor — to hate or reject something strongly on moral grounds
• abhorrent — utterly repugnant to one’s sense of right
• abide — to accept and act in accordance with a rule or decision
• abiding — lasting for a long time; enduring
• ability — the power or skill to do something
• abject — extremely bad or hopeless, especially of poverty or failure
• abjure — to renounce something solemnly and publicly
• able-bodied — physically fit for manual work
• abnormal — differing from what is usual or expected, often worryingly
• abolish — to end a law, system or practice officially
• abolition — the formal ending of a law, system or practice
• aboriginal — belonging to the original inhabitants of a region
• abort — to stop something before it is completed
• abortive — failing to achieve the intended result
• abound — to exist in large numbers or great quantity
• about-turn — a complete reversal of policy or opinion
• above board — open, honest and free from concealment
• abrasive — harsh and unpleasant in manner
• abreast — kept informed of the latest developments, used as “abreast of”
• abridge — to shorten a text, or to cut down a right
• abridgement — a shortening of a text, or a curtailment of a right
• abroad — in or to a foreign country
• abrogate — to repeal or formally do away with a law or agreement
• abrogation — the formal repeal or setting aside of a law or provision
• abrupt — sudden and unexpected, often in an unwelcome way
• abscond — to run away and hide, especially to escape arrest
• absence — the state of not being present, or the non-existence of something
• absentee — a person who is habitually or officially not present
• absenteeism — the habitual failure of staff to report for duty
• absolute — complete and not limited by any condition or exception
• absolutism — a system in which one ruler or authority holds unlimited power
• absolve — to declare someone free from blame or an obligation
• absorb — to take in and make part of a larger whole
• absorption — the process of taking something in or merging it into a larger body
• abstain — to choose deliberately not to do something, especially not to vote
• abstention — a deliberate refusal to vote or to take part
• abstinence — the practice of restraining oneself from something, especially liquor
• abstract — existing as an idea rather than as something concrete
• absurd — so unreasonable as to be ridiculous
• absurdity — the quality of being ridiculous or plainly unreasonable
• abundance — a very large quantity of something
• abundant — plentiful, in large quantity
• abuse — wrong or cruel use of power, a substance or a person
• abusive — insulting in language, or involving cruel and unfair treatment
• abut — to be next to and share a boundary with
• abysmal — extremely bad; of a very low standard
• abyss — a deep or seemingly bottomless gap, often used figuratively
• academia — the community of universities, scholars and research
• academic — relating to study; also, of theoretical interest only
• academy — an institution for specialised training or for promoting an art or science
• accede — to agree to a demand, or to formally join a treaty or office
• accelerate — to make something happen faster
• acceleration — an increase in the rate at which something happens
• accentuate — to make something more noticeable or more pronounced
• accept — to agree to receive something or to consent to it
• acceptability — the extent to which something is likely to be agreed to or tolerated
• acceptable — good enough to be agreed to or tolerated
• acceptance — the act of agreeing to or formally receiving something
• access — the right or means of reaching or using something
• accessibility — the quality of being easy to reach, enter or use, including by disabled persons
• accessible — able to be reached, obtained or understood without difficulty
• accession — formally joining a treaty or organisation, or coming to high office
• accessory — a person who helps in a crime without committing it, or a supplementary item
• accident — an unintended and usually harmful event
• acclaim — enthusiastic public praise
• acclamation — election or approval by loud general consent, without a formal vote
• acclimatise — to become used to a new climate or set of conditions
• accolade — an award or expression of praise for achievement
• accommodate — to make room for someone, or to adjust so as to meet their needs
• accommodation — a place to stay, or an arrangement that settles competing claims
• accommodative — willing to adjust; of monetary policy, favouring easier credit
• accompany — to go along with something, or to be present with it
• accomplice — a person who helps another commit a crime
• accomplish — to complete something successfully
• accomplished — highly skilled and successful in a field
• accomplishment — something achieved successfully by effort
• accord — to grant something formally; also, a formal agreement
• accordance — conformity with a rule, used as “in accordance with”
• accordingly — in a way that suits what has happened; therefore
• accost — to approach and speak to someone boldly or aggressively
• account — a description of events; also, a record of money received and spent
• account for — to explain or give a satisfactory reason for; also, to form a share of a total
• accountability — the obligation to answer for one’s decisions and their results
• accountable — required to explain and take responsibility for one’s actions
• accredit — to give official recognition or authorisation to a person or body
• accreditation — official certification that a body meets the required standards
• accretion — a gradual increase brought about by addition
• accrual — the recording or building up of amounts as they are earned or incurred
• accrue — to accumulate or arise over time, especially benefits or interest
• acculturation — the process by which a group takes on the culture of another
• accumulate — to gather or increase in quantity over time
• accumulation — a mass of something gathered over time
• accuracy — the quality of being correct and precise
• accurate — correct in every detail
• accusation — a charge that someone has done something wrong
• accuse — to charge someone with an offence or with wrongdoing
• accused — the person charged with an offence in a criminal case
• accustomed — used to something through habit or experience
• achieve — to succeed in reaching a goal by effort
• achievement — a result gained by effort
• Achilles heel — a small but critical weakness in an otherwise strong system
• acknowledge — to admit the truth of something, or to confirm that it has been received
• acknowledgement — an admission, or a written receipt confirming that something was received
• acolyte — a devoted follower or assistant of a leader
• acquaint — to make someone familiar with facts or a situation
• acquaintance — a person one knows slightly, or a limited knowledge of a subject
• acquiesce — to accept something reluctantly and without protest
• acquiescence — silent or reluctant acceptance of something
• acquire — to obtain or come to possess something
• acquisition — the act of obtaining something, especially land or a company
• acquit — to declare a person not guilty of a charge
• acquittal — a judgment that a person is not guilty
• acreage — the extent of land measured in acres, especially the area under a crop
• acrid — sharp and bitter to smell or taste
• acrimonious — angry and bitter in tone
• acrimony — bitterness and ill feeling in speech or in a dispute
• acronym — a word formed from the initial letters of a longer name
• across — from one side to the other; throughout a whole area or group
• across-the-board — applying to everyone or everything without exception
• act — a law passed by a legislature
• act of God — a natural event beyond human control, pleaded to escape liability
• acting — holding a post temporarily on behalf of the regular incumbent
• action — a step taken to deal with a problem; also, legal proceedings
• actionable — capable of being acted upon, or giving grounds for legal action
• activate — to bring something into operation
• activism — vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change
• activist — a person who campaigns for political or social change
• actor — a participant that plays a role in a process or system
• actuate — to cause someone to act, or to set a mechanism in motion
• acuity — sharpness of perception or thought
• acumen — the ability to make good judgments quickly in a particular field
• acute — severe and needing urgent attention; also, sharp in perception
• ad hoc — arranged for one particular purpose only, without a lasting plan
• ad valorem — charged in proportion to the value of the goods
• adage — a short traditional saying that states a general truth
• adamant — refusing to change one’s mind
• adapt — to change something so that it works under new conditions
• adaptation — the process of adjusting to changed conditions, especially a changed climate
• adaptive — able to change readily to suit new conditions
• addendum — an item added to a document after it was drafted
• addiction — a compulsive dependence on a substance or habit
• additive — a substance mixed into food or fuel to preserve or improve it
• address — to deal with a problem directly rather than avoid it
• adduce — to put forward evidence or reasons in support of a case
• adept — very skilled
• adequacy — the state of being sufficient for a need
• adequate — enough in quantity or quality for the purpose
• adhere — to follow a rule, standard or agreement closely
• adherence — strict observance of a rule, treatment or standard
• adherent — a person who supports a doctrine, party or leader
• adjacent — lying next to or bordering something
• adjoining — sharing a common boundary or wall with something
• adjourn — to break off a meeting or hearing, to be resumed later
• adjournment — a break in proceedings until a later date
• adjudge — to declare or pronounce formally by a court
• adjudicate — to decide a dispute formally, as a judge or tribunal does
• adjudication — the formal legal decision of a dispute or claim
• adjunct — something attached to a larger thing in a secondary role
• adjust — to make a small change so that something fits or becomes fair
• adjustment — a change made to bring something into balance
• administer — to manage the running of a system, scheme or office
• administration — the machinery of government, or the act of running it
• administrative — relating to the running of an organisation or government
• administrator — an official appointed to run an office, institution or local body
• admissible — acceptable or allowed, especially as evidence in court
• admission — entry granted, or an acknowledgement that something is true
• admit — to accept that something is true, often reluctantly
• admonish — to reprove or warn firmly, but without formal punishment
• admonition — a firm warning or reproof
• adolescent — a young person in the stage between childhood and adulthood
• adopt — to take up a policy or resolution formally, or to take a child legally as one’s own
• adoption — formal acceptance or uptake of something new, or the legal taking of a child
• adrift — without direction or purpose
• adroit — skilful and quick, especially in handling a difficult situation
• adulterant — the inferior or harmful substance that is mixed into a product
• adulterate — to make a substance impure by mixing in something inferior
• adulteration — the mixing of inferior or harmful matter into a product
• advance — to move something forward in time or progress; also money paid beforehand
• advent — the arrival of an important person, event or technology
• adversarial — involving two opposing sides who contest a case against each other
• adversary — an opponent in a contest, dispute or war
• adverse — unfavourable or harmful to someone’s interests
• adversity — a state of serious hardship or misfortune
• advert — to refer to a matter, especially in a judgment or a formal speech
• advertise — to make something publicly known, especially a post, tender or product
• advice — an opinion offered about what should be done — a noun, not the verb
• advisable — sensible and worth doing in the circumstances
• advise — to recommend a course of action to someone — the verb form of advice
• advisory — an official warning or piece of guidance issued to the public
• advocacy — public support or argument for a cause or policy
• advocate — to publicly recommend or argue for a course of action
• aegis — the protection or sponsorship of a powerful body
• aerial — happening in or carried out from the air
• aerosol — fine particles suspended in the air, a major component of pollution
• aesthetic — concerned with beauty or the appreciation of visual form
• affable — friendly and easy to talk to
• affair — a matter or event, especially one that becomes public
• affect — to have an influence on something — a verb, unlike the noun effect
• affidavit — a written statement sworn on oath for use in court
• affiliate — to attach an institution formally to a larger recognised body
• affiliation — formal attachment to a parent organisation or university
• affinity — a natural liking for, or close similarity with, something
• affirm — to state firmly that something is true, or to uphold a lower court’s order
• affirmation — a solemn declaration made in place of an oath, or a firm assertion
• affirmative — expressing agreement, or aimed at correcting historical discrimination
• affix — to attach a signature, seal or stamp to a document
• afflict — to cause persistent suffering to a person or a region
• affliction — a cause of persistent suffering or distress
• affluence — the state of having plenty of money and comfort
• affluent — having plenty of money and possessions
• afford — to have enough money or scope to bear a cost or a risk
• affordable — cheap enough for ordinary people to pay for
• afforestation — the planting of trees to create or restore forest cover
• affray — a fight in a public place that disturbs the peace
• affront — an open insult to someone’s dignity or to a principle
• afoot — in progress or being quietly planned
• aforesaid — mentioned earlier in the same document
• afoul — into conflict with a rule or authority, as in to run afoul of the law
• afresh — again, from the very beginning
• aftercare — support given to a person after treatment or institutional care ends
• aftermath — the period and the consequences that follow a disaster or major event
• aftershock — a smaller tremor following an earthquake; a later repercussion
• afterthought — something added later, without having been properly planned for
• ageing — growing older; the rising share of older people in a population
• agency — a body that acts on behalf of others; also the power to act for oneself
• agenda — the list of items to be taken up at a meeting; also an underlying purpose
• agent — a person or force that acts on behalf of another or brings about change
• agglomeration — a dense cluster, especially a continuous built-up urban area
• aggrandisement — the increase of one’s own power, wealth or standing
• aggravate — to make a bad situation worse
• aggregate — a total formed by adding separate parts together
• aggregator — a firm that pools many service providers on a single platform
• aggression — hostile or violent behaviour, especially when unprovoked
• aggrieved — wronged, and therefore entitled to complain or appeal
• aghast — shocked and horrified by something
• agile — able to move or respond quickly and easily
• agitate — to campaign publicly and forcefully for a demand
• agitation — an organised public protest pressing a demand
• agrarian — relating to farming and the ownership of farmland
• agriculture — the cultivation of crops and the rearing of livestock
• agroforestry — growing trees alongside crops or livestock on the same land
• agronomy — the science of crop production and soil management
• aground — stuck on the bed of a river or sea; brought to a standstill
• aid — help, especially money or supplies given officially
• aide — a close assistant to a senior official or political leader
• ail — to trouble or weaken; to be the underlying cause of a problem
• ailing — unwell, or performing badly and in decline
• ailment — an illness, usually a minor or recurring one
• air — to express a grievance or an opinion publicly
• airborne — carried or transmitted through the air
• airlift — to move people or supplies urgently by aircraft
• airtight — so complete that no flaw or loophole can be found in it
• aisle — a passage between rows of seats, used for the divide between parties in a house
• ajar — slightly open, so that a possibility still remains
• akin — similar in nature or effect to something else
• alacrity — brisk and cheerful willingness to act at once
• albeit — although; even though — used to add a qualifying remark
• alibi — a plea that one was elsewhere when the offence was committed
• alien — a person who is not a citizen of the country they are living in
• alienate — to make a person or group feel distant and hostile
• alienation — a feeling of being cut off from a group or from society
• align — to bring something into agreement with another standard or plan
• alignment — the way parts, routes or interests are arranged in relation to one another
• allay — to reduce someone’s fear, doubt or anger
• allegation — an unproved claim that someone has done something wrong
• allege — to state something as true before it has been proved
• allegiance — loyalty owed to a state, a constitution or a leader
• alleviate — to make suffering less severe
• alliance — a formal union of parties or states formed for a shared purpose
• allocate — to set aside a share of money or resources for a purpose
• allocation — the amount of money or resources set aside for a stated purpose
• allot — to give out as an official share
• allotment — the share formally given to a person or body
• allowance — a sum paid regularly to meet a particular expense
• allude — to refer to something indirectly, without naming it
• allure — the power to attract; strong appeal
• allusion — an indirect reference to something
• ally — a party or state that cooperates with another for a common aim
• aloof — keeping a deliberate distance; not getting involved
• alter — to change something in part rather than wholly
• alteration — a partial change made to something already settled
• altercation — a noisy quarrel or heated exchange of words
• alternative — another option that may be chosen instead of the first
• altruism — unselfish concern for the welfare of others
• altruistic — acting for the good of others rather than for one’s own gain
• amalgamate — to combine two or more bodies into a single one
• amalgamation — the merging of separate bodies into one
• amass — to gather a large quantity of something over time
• ambassador — a state’s highest ranking representative posted in another country
• ambient — relating to the surrounding air or conditions of a place
• ambiguity — the state of having more than one possible meaning
• ambiguous — open to more than one meaning
• ambit — the range of matters that a rule or authority covers
• ambition — a strong desire to achieve something that demands effort
• ambitious — aiming at a large or difficult target
• ambivalence — the state of holding opposing feelings about the same thing
• ambivalent — having mixed or contradictory feelings about something
• ambush — a surprise attack launched from a concealed position
• ameliorate — to make a bad situation better
• amenable — willing to accept advice, control or a proposed arrangement
• amend — to change a law or document formally in order to improve it
• amendment — a formal change made to a law, bill or constitution
• amenity — a facility that makes living or working in a place more comfortable
• amiable — friendly and pleasant in manner
• amicable — settled in a friendly way, without hostility
• amid — in the middle of a situation or event that is going on
• amiss — wrong or not as it should be
• amnesty — an official pardon granted to a group
• amorphous — having no clear shape, structure or definition
• ample — more than enough for the purpose
• amplify — to make something stronger, louder or more widely heard
• anachronism — something that belongs to an earlier age and is out of place now
• analogous — similar in a way that allows a comparison to be drawn
• analogy — a comparison drawn to explain or justify something
• analyse — to examine something in detail in order to understand its parts
• analysis — a detailed examination of the elements of something
• analytical — using careful, systematic reasoning to examine a question
• anarchy — a breakdown of order because no authority is being obeyed
• ancestral — inherited from earlier generations of a family
• ancillary — providing support to something more important
• anecdote — a short account of a real incident used to illustrate a point
• anguish — severe mental or physical pain
• animosity — strong hostility between persons or groups
• animus — ill will that lies behind an action
• annex — to attach to a document; also to take territory and add it to one’s own
• annexation — the taking over of territory and adding it to one’s own state
• annexure — a document attached to a main document as a supplement
• annihilate — to destroy something completely
• announce — to make something known publicly and officially
• annuity — a fixed sum paid to a person every year, usually out of a fund or pension
• annul — to declare an act, order or contract legally void
• annulment — an official declaration that something is no longer valid
• anomalous — not fitting the usual pattern; irregular
• anomaly — something that departs from the normal or expected pattern
• anonymity — the condition of one’s identity not being revealed
• anonymous — made or sent without the name of the person being given
• antagonise — to make someone hostile towards you
• antagonism — active hostility between opposing sides
• antecedent — an earlier event or record that comes before and bears on the present
• anthropogenic — caused by human activity, especially in the natural environment
• anticipate — to expect something and prepare for it in advance
• anticipatory — done in advance of an expected event
• antidote — something that counteracts a harmful effect
• antipathy — a deep-seated dislike of someone or something
• antiquated — out of date and no longer suited to present needs
• antithesis — the direct opposite of something
• apathetic — showing no interest or concern
• apathy — lack of interest or willingness to act
• apex — the highest point; the topmost body in a hierarchy
• apolitical — not connected with or influenced by party politics
• apparatus — the organised machinery through which a system works
• apparent — clearly seen or understood from what is on record
• appeal — a formal request to a higher authority to set aside a decision
• appease — to pacify someone by giving in to their demands
• appeasement — the policy of conceding to demands in order to avoid conflict
• appellant — the party who files an appeal against a decision
• appellate — having the power to hear and decide appeals
• append — to add something at the end of a document
• applaud — to express strong public approval of something
• applicable — relevant and having legal or practical effect in a given case
• applicant — a person who formally applies for a post, permit or benefit
• appoint — to formally choose a person for a post or duty
• appointment — the act of placing someone in a post, or the post so given
• apportion — to divide something and share it out according to a rule
• appraisal — a formal assessment of the worth or performance of something
• appraise — to assess the value or quality of something formally
• appreciable — large enough to be noticed or to matter
• appreciate — to rise in value over time; also to understand a matter fully
• appreciation — an increase in the value of an asset or a currency
• apprehend — to arrest a person; also to grasp or to fear something
• apprehension — anxiety about what may happen; also the arrest of a person
• apprehensive — uneasy about what may happen
• apprentice — a learner who works under a skilled person while being trained
• apprenticeship — a period of on-the-job training served under a skilled worker
• apprise — to inform someone formally of something
• approbation — formal approval or praise given by an authority
• appropriate — to take something for one’s own use, often without right; also to set funds apart…
• appropriation — the setting apart of public money for a stated purpose by law
• approximate — close to the exact figure but not precise
• apt — exactly suitable in the circumstances
• aptitude — a natural ability to learn or do something well
• aquaculture — the farming of fish, prawns or other aquatic produce
• aquifer — an underground layer of rock or sand that holds groundwater
• arable — suitable for growing crops
• arbiter — a person or body with the final power to settle a dispute
• arbitrary — decided by personal whim rather than by rule or reason
• arbitrate — to settle a dispute between two parties as a neutral third party
• arbitration — settlement of a dispute by a neutral third party outside the courts
• archaic — belonging to an earlier period and no longer suited to present needs
• archipelago — a group or chain of islands
• archive — a collection of records preserved for future reference
• ardent — showing strong and eager support or feeling
• arduous — needing a great deal of effort
• arid — having too little rainfall to support much vegetation
• armistice — a formal agreement between warring sides to stop fighting
• arraign — to bring an accused person before a court to answer a charge
• array — an extensive and orderly range of things
• arrears — money that is owed and should have been paid earlier
• arrogant — behaving as though one is superior to others
• arrogate — to take power or authority to oneself without any right
• arsenal — a stock of weapons, or a store of means available for use
• arson — the crime of deliberately setting fire to property
• articulate — to express an idea clearly and effectively
• artisan — a skilled worker who makes things by hand
• ascend — to move up to a higher level or position
• ascendancy — a position of dominant power or influence
• ascertain — to find out something for certain
• ascribe — to regard something as caused by a particular person or thing
• aspersion — a remark that attacks someone’s reputation
• aspiration — a strong wish to achieve something
• aspire — to direct one’s hopes and effort towards achieving something
• assail — to attack forcefully, in words or in action
• assailant — a person who physically attacks another
• assemble — to bring or come together in one place
• assent — formal approval that makes a decision or a bill effective
• assert — to state something firmly, or to insist on a right
• assertion — a confident statement made without offering proof
• assertive — confident in stating one’s position without being aggressive
• assess — to judge the nature, value or extent of something
• assessment — a considered judgement of value, quality or extent
• asset — something of value owned by a person, firm or government
• assiduous — showing careful and persistent effort
• assign — to allot a task, share or duty to someone
• assimilate — to absorb people or ideas fully into a larger body
• assimilation — the process by which a smaller group is absorbed into a larger culture
• assuage — to make an unpleasant feeling less intense
• assume — to take something to be true without proof, or to take charge of a duty
• assumption — something accepted as true without proof
• assurance — a positive statement meant to give confidence
• astute — able to judge situations and people shrewdly
• asylum — protection given by a state to a person fleeing persecution
• asymmetric — not equal or balanced between two sides
• atrocity — an extremely cruel or violent act, especially against a vulnerable group
• atrophy — to waste away or weaken through disuse
• attachment — the legal seizure of property under an order of a court or agency
• attain — to reach or achieve something after effort
• attainment — the level of achievement reached, especially in learning
• attend — to be present at something, or to deal with a matter
• attenuate — to reduce the force or effect of something
• attest — to certify formally that something is true or genuine
• attitude — a settled way of thinking that shows itself in behaviour
• attorney — a person legally appointed to act for another, especially a lawyer
• attribute — to regard something as belonging to or caused by a particular source
• attrition — a gradual reduction in strength or numbers
• atypical — not conforming to the usual pattern
• auction — a public sale in which the item goes to the highest bidder
• audacious — boldly taking risks, sometimes to the point of impudence
• audit — an official examination of accounts or of performance
• augment — to increase something by adding to it
• auspices — the support or authority under which something is carried out
• auspicious — giving signs of future success; favourable
• austere — plain and severe, without comfort
• austerity — severe restraint in public spending
• authentic — genuine and of undisputed origin
• authenticate — to prove or officially confirm that something is genuine
• authoritarian — demanding strict obedience and allowing no dissent
• authoritative — reliable because it comes from an expert or an official source
• autonomous — having the power to govern itself
• autonomy — the right or condition of governing oneself
• auxiliary — giving additional support to something more important
• avail — to make use of an opportunity or facility
• avarice — extreme greed for wealth
• avenue — a way of approaching or achieving something
• aver — to state something as a fact, especially in a formal pleading
• averse — strongly disinclined towards something
• aversion — a strong dislike or unwillingness
• avert — to prevent something harmful from happening
• avid — showing keen interest or enthusiasm
• avoidable — capable of being prevented
• avow — to admit or declare something openly
• award — a decision or sum granted by a court, tribunal or arbitrator
• awry — not going as planned; wrong
• axiom — a statement accepted as self-evidently true