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Dictionary

Words starting with A

57 words

abate

/əˈbeɪt/

To become less intense or widespread; to reduce in force or severity.

abhor

/əbˈhɔː/

To regard something as loathsome and reject it strongly in moral or practical terms.

abstain

/əbˈsteɪn/

To choose not to do or have something voluntarily.

abstruse

/æbˈstruːs/

Difficult to understand; known only to a few because it is complex or specialized.

abundant

/əˈbʌndənt/

Existing or available in very large quantities; more than enough.

accolade

/ˈæk.ə.leɪd/

A public award or praise for an achievement.

accountable

/əˈkaʊn.tə.bəl/

Required to explain your actions and accept consequences for the results. An accountable person cannot blame others when something goes wrong. This word is especially common in business and professional settings.

accurate

/ˈæk.jʊ.rɪt/

Free from mistakes or errors; correctly representing the real facts. An accurate statement, figure, or description matches reality as closely as possible.

acquiesce

/ˌæk.wiˈiːs/

To accept something reluctantly but without protest or resistance.

acrimony

/ˈækrɪməni/

Angry, bitter disagreement or hostility among people or groups. Use it for strong, sharp conflict rather than mild disagreement. Limit to 25 words per sentence.

adept

/əˈdɛpt/

Skilled or proficient; able to do something well.

admonish

/ədˈmɒn.ɪʃ/

to tell someone firmly but kindly that they did wrong; to warn or advise.

adversity

/ˈæd.və.sə.ti/

Difficult or unlucky situations that test your strength and resolve.

advocate

/ˈæd.və.kɪt/

A person who actively and publicly supports a cause, group, or idea. In some countries such as Scotland and India, it also means a lawyer who represents people in court.

aesthetic

/ɛsˈθɛt.ɪk/

Pleasing to the senses; concerned with beauty and visual style.

affable

/əˈfæb.əl/

Friendly and easy to talk to; kind and approachable.

affinity

/əˈfɪnəti/

A natural liking or attraction to a person, activity, or subject. A close relationship by shared qualities or origin. Less personal than friendship but stronger than simple interest. Often used in academic or formal contexts.

agile

/ˈædʒ.aɪl/

Able to move quickly and easily, with good balance and control. Describes a person or animal that can change position or direction smoothly and fast.

alacrity

/əˈlæs.ə.tri/

cheerful and speed; quick and cheerful readiness to act or respond. 25 words or fewer.

alleviate

/əˈliːvieɪt/

to make pain, problems, or sadness less severe.

altruism

/ˈæltruːɪzəm/

The selfless concern for the well-being of others, without expecting reward.

ambiguous

/æmˈbɪɡ.ju.əs/

When something is ambiguous, it can be understood in more than one way. You cannot be sure which meaning is correct because the language or situation is not clear enough.

ambivalence

/æmˈbɪv.ə.ləns/

The state of having two opposite or conflicting feelings about someone or something at the same time. It is not the same as not caring — you feel both strongly, just in opposite directions.

amenable

/əˈmiːniəbl/

willing to agree or be changed, or allowing an effect.

amorphous

/əˈmɔːfəs/

Having no definite shape or form; not clearly defined.

anachronistic

/ˌænəˈkrɒnɪstɪk/

Something seems anachronistic when it looks like it belongs to an older time.

analyze

/ˈæn.ə.laɪz/

To study something carefully by breaking it into its parts. You look at each part separately to understand how the whole thing works or what it means.

annual

/ˈæn.ju.əl/

Happening once every year, or relating to a period of one year. Often used in formal, academic, and business contexts.

anomaly

/əˈnɒm.ə.li/

Something that is unusual or unexpected compared to what is normal.

antithesis

/ænˈtɪθəsɪs/

The direct opposite or contrast of something; a contrast in ideas or qualities.

apathy

/ˈæpəθi/

A lack of interest, motivation, or concern.

apprehensive

/ˌæp.rɪˈhɛn.sɪv/

Feeling worried or uneasy about something that might happen in the future. It describes a quiet, forward-looking fear — not panic, but a growing sense that something could go wrong.

approach

/əˈprəʊtʃ/

To move closer to someone or something in space or time. It can also mean to begin dealing with a task or situation in a particular way.

appropriate

/əˈprəʊ.pri.ɪt/

Suitable or right for a particular situation, person, or purpose. Something appropriate matches what is expected or accepted in that context.

arbitrate

/ˈɑːbɪˌtreɪt/

To make a fair decision between two people or groups when they cannot agree, like a judge or referee without a court trial.

ardent

/ˈɑːr.dənt/

Having or showing very strong, warm feelings about something — especially a belief, cause, or person. An ardent person is deeply committed, not just casually interested.

arduous

/ˈɑːdʒuəs/

Needing great effort; very difficult and tiring.

arise

/əˈraɪz/

When something arises, it starts to happen or appear. This word is most often used for problems, questions, situations, or needs that come into existence.

articulate

/ɑːrˈtɪk.ju.lət/

Express thoughts, ideas, or feelings clearly and effectively in speech or writing.

ascertain

/əˈsɜːt.ən/

To find or be sure of something after checking carefully.

askance

/əˈskɑːns/

In a suspicious or disapproving way.

aspect

/ˈæs.pɛkt/

A particular part, side, or feature of a subject or situation that you can think about or discuss. When something is complex, it can have many aspects.

assemble

/əˈsɛm.bəl/

To bring people together in one place, usually for a specific purpose. This can mean calling a group together or coming together as a group.

assert

/əˈsɜːt/

To say something clearly and with confidence, as if you are sure it is true. You often assert something when others might disagree with you.

assess

/əˈsɛs/

To carefully look at something and form a judgment about its quality, condition, or importance. You assess something when you want to understand it better before making a decision.

assiduous

/əˈsɪdʒu.əs/

Working very hard and careful; showing dedication.

astonish

/əˈstɒn.ɪʃ/

Surprise greatly; amaze.

attain

/əˈteɪn/

To successfully reach or achieve something important, usually after a lot of effort or time. It often implies arriving at a goal that required sustained work.

attest

/əˈtest/

To show something is true or give evidence for it.

attribute

/ˈæt.rɪ.bjuːt/

A quality, feature, or characteristic that belongs to or is typical of a person or thing. It is often used to describe something notable or valued about someone or something.

audacious

/ɔːˈdeɪʃəs/

Very brave or daring; willing to take bold risks that others avoid.

augment

/ɔːɡˈment/

Increase or add to something to make it greater.

auspicious

/ɔːˈspɪʃəs/

Giving hope that success will happen; suggesting a positive future outcome.

austere

/ɔːˈstɪər/

Describing a lifestyle, place, or conditions that are very simple, without comfort or luxury. Something austere has only what is necessary and nothing extra.

authority

/ɔːˈθɒr.ɪ.ti/

The right or power to give orders, make decisions, and expect others to obey. This power usually comes from a formal role or position.

autonomous

/ɔːˈtɒnəməs/

Acting independently; self-governing, not controlled by others.

avarice

/ˈævərɪs/

An intense desire to gain wealth or possessions, often ignoring ethics or others' needs. It suggests selfish greed rather than simple financial caution. Unlike frugality, it pushes people to take excessive risks or exploit others. It differs from ambition because it focuses on hoarding rather than achievement. Use it when you want to highlight harmful greed, not just careful saving. In writing, choose avarice for a strong moral judgment rather than neutral terms like desire for money.

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