alphabet
Alphabet (noun) means the full set of letters used to write a language, usually arranged in a fixed order. Example: “The English alphabet has 26 letters.”
How to Use Alphabet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe full ordered set of letters used to write a language, like A to Z in English.
Word Forms
alphabeted past tense, alphabets plural, alphabets singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The English _____ has 26 letters.
Etymology
From Latin alphabetum, formed from alpha and beta, the first two letters of the Greek alphabet — themselves borrowed from the Phoenician letter names aleph ("ox") and beth ("house").
Synonyms
View more →Related Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “alphabet” mean?
The word “alphabet” means the full set of letters used to write a language, usually arranged in a fixed order. In plain terms, the full ordered set of letters used to write a language, like A to Z in English.
How do you pronounce “alphabet”?
“Alphabet” is pronounced AL-fuh-beht (/ˈæl.fəˌbɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “alphabet” in a sentence?
Here is “alphabet” used in a sentence: “The English alphabet has 26 letters.”
What is another word for “alphabet”?
Words with a similar meaning to “alphabet” include ABC and absey.
What part of speech is “alphabet”?
“Alphabet” is a noun.
Where does the word “alphabet” come from?
The word “alphabet” comes from Latin. From Latin alphabetum, formed from alpha and beta, the first two letters of the Greek alphabet — themselves borrowed from the Phoenician letter names aleph ("ox") and beth ("house").
Is “alphabet” a common word?
“Alphabet” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between an "alphabet" and "alphabetical order"?
An "alphabet" is the full set of letters used to write a language, arranged in a fixed order. "Alphabetical order" refers to arranging items, such as words or names, according to that fixed letter sequence.
Do all languages use an alphabet?
No. While an "alphabet" specifically refers to a set of letters arranged in a fixed order, many languages use other writing systems, such as logographic characters or syllabaries, that don't fit this definition.
What is the difference between "alphabet" and "ABCs"?
"ABCs" is an informal name for the alphabet, referring specifically to its first three letters as shorthand for the whole set. "Alphabet" is the formal term for the complete, ordered set of letters.
Featured In
Vocabulary lists that include alphabet: