Words Starting with "A"

Abacavir is a prescription antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV infection. It is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that interferes with the replication of the virus. In combination therapy, Abacavir helps reduce viral load and improve immune function, under medical supervision and with adherence to dosing guidelines.

Abacus is a handheld counting tool with beads sliding on parallel rods, traditionally used for arithmetic. It serves as a historical computing device and educational aid, illustrating place value and manual calculation. The word refers to the instrument itself and, by extension, to basic computational techniques learned through its use.

Abaddon is a proper noun, traditionally referring to a demon or apocalyptic being, often personified as destruction. In religious and literary contexts it denotes a formidable, doom-filled entity, sometimes used metaphorically to describe ruinous forces. The term carries a grave, mythic connotation rather than everyday usage.

Abalone is a large marine mollusk with a pearly interior shell and a fan-shaped shell edge. The term also refers to the shellfish meat obtained from it. It is commonly used in culinary contexts and aquaculture discussions, and can describe the spiny, iridescent shell pattern seen on the animal. The word is pronounced with three syllables: a-BA-lone (uh-BAL-oh-nee).

Abandon (noun): a state of complete lack of restraint or inhibition, often implying carelessness or emotional surrender. In formal use it denotes relinquishment or desertion, while colloquially it can describe wild, uninhibited behavior. As a verb, it means to abandon or give up something or someone, frequently implying a decisive, final act beyond mere leaving. In all senses, it conveys a sense of leaving behind or discarding.

Abarth is a proper noun referring to the Italian automobile marque, known for compact race cars and sporty hatchbacks. The name is used as a brand identifier and may be heard in automotive media and car enthusiast contexts. Correct pronunciation emphasizes the Italian phonology and brand identity rather than anglicized forms.

Abashed is an adjective describing a person who is embarrassed or ashamed, often displaying a blush or a downturn of the eyes. It conveys a temporary, inward discomfort or self-consciousness rather than a lasting state. In usage, it describes reaction to an action or remark that has caused fluster or embarrassment.

Abattoir is a noun referring to a facility where animals are slaughtered for meat. In practice, it denotes an industrial slaughterhouse, often used in legal or formal contexts. The term emphasizes the processing aspect of meat production rather than retail, and is common in British English.

Abaya is a long, loose-fitting cloak worn by many Muslim women in public. It typically covers the body except the hands, face, and feet, and varies in style by region. In English discourse, it commonly denotes the garment rather than a religious statement, and is often discussed in cultural or fashion contexts.

AbbVie Inc. is a multinational biopharmaceutical company. The name combines the pharmaceutical company branding AbbVie with the corporate suffix Inc. It’s pronounced as a two-part proper name: the first word AbbVie (ab-vee) and the word Inc. (short for Incorporated), spoken together in a business-context register.

Abba is a noun used chiefly as a proper name for the popular pop group, and more rarely as an affectionate, informal term for father in some languages. In entertainment contexts it denotes the Swedish band ABBA, often invoked in discussions of 1970s music. The pronunciation guidance below also helps with the name’s reception in English, where the band name has become a recognizable proper noun.

Abbasid refers to the second great dynasty of the Islamic Caliphate, spanning roughly from the 8th to the 13th centuries, and to anything associated with that era. As a term in history and religious studies, it designates the dynasty’s rulers, culture, and influence, and is used as a historical descriptor or as an adjective. It functions as a proper noun when naming people or dynastic groups, and as an attributive noun in historical contexts.

Abbe is a noun that can refer to a title or surname, often used in scholarly or clerical contexts. In everyday usage it denotes a member of a religious or academic community, or simply a proper name. The pronunciation is not tied to its spelling alone, so awareness of its vowel and consonant sounds is essential for clear delivery.

Abbess refers to the female superior of a community of nuns, or a woman who holds that rank. It denotes a religious leader within a convent, typically overseeing spiritual and administrative duties. The term is used in historical and contemporary contexts and carries formal, ecclesiastical connotations.

Abbey (noun) refers to a monastery or convent, especially one headed by an abbot or abbess. It can also denote a building complex or the enclosure where monks or nuns live, pray, and work. In modern usage, it often signals a religious site of historical or architectural interest and can appear in place names and cultural contexts.

Abbot is a masculine noun referring to the head of a monastery or a chief religious leader in some Christian contexts. It can also be a surname. In everyday usage, it often denotes the superior of a religious community, or, historically, a title for an administrator of a church precinct. Your pronunciation remains steady across contexts, with attention to the initial stress pattern.

Abbott is a proper noun used mainly as a surname or given name, of English origin. It denotes familial lineage or a personal name that has become associated with notable individuals or institutions. In everyday use, it is pronounced with two syllables, stressing the first, and often appears in contexts ranging from biographical references to brand or organizational names.

Abboud is a proper noun, typically a surname or given name of Arabic origin. It denotes a family name or personal identifier and is often used in Middle Eastern communities and diaspora contexts. It can appear in various transliterations and may carry cultural or familial significance beyond its phonetic pronunciation.

Abbreviate means to shorten something, usually by condensing or omitting parts. It is commonly used in reference to words, phrases, or processes that are made briefer for efficiency, clarity, or space. As a verb, it emphasizes the action of creating a shorter form rather than listing every detail.

Abby is a female given name, commonly used as a standalone form or as a diminutive of Abigail. In everyday usage, it refers to a specific person and conveys informal, friendly familiarity. The name is brief, easy to pronounce, and typically stressed on the first syllable in English-speaking contexts.

Abciximab is a monoclonal antibody used as an antiplatelet drug to prevent blood clots during certain cardiovascular procedures. It is administered intravenously and targets glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors on platelets to inhibit aggregation. The term denotes a pharmacological agent rather than a general chemical compound, and its pronunciation is pivotal for clear communication in medical settings.

Abdicate is a verb meaning to renounce a throne, office, or responsibility, often formally, by giving up power or duty. It implies voluntary relinquishment rather than removal by force, and can apply to leadership roles, duties, or symbolic titles. The term carries a formal register and is commonly used in political or historical contexts.

Abdomen is the part of the body between the chest and pelvis that houses the stomach, intestines, and other organs. In anatomy, the term is used for the cavity and its contents, while clinically it can refer to the surface region of the abdomen or to pain in that area. The word is used across medical, educational, and everyday contexts.