alphabet
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for alphabet, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The full set of letters used to write a language, usually arranged in a fixed order.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use alphabet
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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").
Full origin of alphabet →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.