SKIP TO CONTENT

"A" Vocab Words

This is a vocab list beginning with the letter "A".
87 words 1 learner

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Full list of words from this list:

  1. abase
    cause to feel shame
  2. abide
    dwell
  3. abject
    of the most contemptible kind
  4. ablution
    the act of washing oneself, as for ritual purposes
  5. aboriginal
    having existed from the beginning
  6. abrogate
    revoke formally
  7. absolve
    grant remission of a sin to
  8. abyss
    a bottomless gulf or pit
  9. access
    the right to enter
  10. accessible
    capable of being reached
  11. acclamation
    enthusiastic approval or recognition
  12. acclimate
    get used to a certain environment
  13. accredited
    given official approval to act
  14. acid rain
    precipitation with toxic gas emissions combined with water
  15. acquit
    pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
  16. acrid
    strong and sharp, as a taste or smell
  17. actuary
    someone versed in the interpretation of numerical data
  18. actuate
    put in motion
  19. acupuncture
    treatment of illness by inserting thin needles in the skin
  20. ad hoc
    for or concerned with one specific purpose
  21. ad lib
    without advance preparation
  22. adamantine
    consisting of or having the hardness of adamant
  23. addle
    mix up or confuse
  24. ad-lib
    perform without preparation
  25. adulterate
    make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance
  26. advert
    a public promotion of some product or service
  27. affable
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
  28. aggregate
    a sum total of many heterogeneous things taken together
  29. aghast
    struck with fear, dread, or consternation
  30. alchemy
    a pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry in medieval times
  31. alcove
    a small recess opening off a large room or garden
  32. alibi
    proof that someone accused of a crime could not have done it
  33. alkali
    any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water
  34. allay
    lessen the intensity of or calm
  35. allegro
    in a quick and lively tempo
  36. alliteration
    use of the same consonant at the beginning of each word
  37. allure
    the power to entice or attract
  38. alluring
    highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
  39. allusion
    passing reference or indirect mention
  40. alms
    money or goods contributed to the poor
  41. alter ego
    a very close friend who seems almost a part of yourself
  42. alternative
    one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen
  43. altruism
    the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
  44. ambivalent
    uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow
  45. ambivalence
    mixed feelings or emotions
  46. amorous
    inclined toward or displaying love
  47. amulet
    a trinket thought to be a magical protection against evil
  48. analogue
    something similar or equivalent to something else
  49. anecdote
    short account of an incident
  50. annex
    attach to
  51. anomalous
    deviating from the general or common order or type
  52. anomaly
    deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule
  53. antecedent
    a preceding occurrence or cause or event
  54. antipathy
    a feeling of intense dislike
  55. apogee
    the farthest point in an orbit around the Earth
  56. apologist
    a person who argues to defend some policy or institution
  57. apostle
    an ardent early supporter of a cause or reform
  58. appellation
    identifying words by which someone or something is called
  59. apportion
    distribute according to a set plan or special purpose
  60. apprehend
    anticipate with dread or anxiety
  61. apprehensive
    in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
  62. aquanaut
    a person who swims underwater with special equipment
  63. aquifer
    underground layer of rock or sand that yields groundwater
  64. arbitrary
    based on or subject to individual discretion or preference
  65. arcade
    a structure composed of arches supported by columns
  66. archipelago
    a group of many islands in a large body of water
  67. arduous
    characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion
  68. aria
    an elaborate song for solo voice
  69. Armageddon
    (New Testament) the scene of the final battle between the kings of the Earth at the end of the world
  70. arrears
    the state of being behind in payments
  71. artifact
    a man-made object
  72. ascribe
    attribute or credit to
  73. assimilate
    make alike
  74. asymmetric
    characterized by lack of balance in the arrangement of parts
  75. at bay
    forced to turn and face attackers
  76. atoll
    an island consisting of a coral reef surrounding a lagoon
  77. attune
    adjust or accustom to; bring into harmony with
  78. august
    profoundly honored
  79. aural
    of or pertaining to hearing or the ear
  80. autistic
    affected with a condition that causes social difficulties
  81. avatar
    the manifestation of a Hindu deity in human or animal form
  82. averse
    strongly opposed
  83. avid
    marked by active interest and enthusiasm
  84. avionics
    science and technology of electronic systems and devices for aeronautics and astronautics
  85. awe
    an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
  86. awl
    a pointed tool for marking surfaces or for punching holes
  87. axiom
    a proposition that is not susceptible of proof or disproof
Created on Sat Jan 04 12:30:40 EST 2014 (updated Wed Jan 22 21:56:11 EST 2014)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.