alphabet
AL-fuh-beht
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.”
noun
1
The full set of letters used to write a language, usually arranged in a fixed order.
"The Greek alphabet has only twenty-four letters."
"The English alphabet has 26 letters."
"She taught her daughter the alphabet using flash cards."
"Children often sing a little song to help them remember the alphabet."
"In the first year of school, pupils are taught to recite the alphabet."
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.
Common pairings
learn the alphabet
alphabet soup
in alphabetical order
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Word forms
- Plural
- alphabets
- Third person singular
- alphabets
- Past tense
- alphabeted
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
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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.
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