Is 'A' a vowel or a consonant?

The letter A is a vowel in the English alphabet. It is one of the five standard vowels used to form syllables.

What are some common words that start with A?

Some common words starting with A include Abbey, Abbot, Abbreviate. These words are frequently used in everyday English communication.

What is the longest word starting with A?

There are many long words starting with A, often found in scientific or medical terminology. Exploring our A-words by length list above can help you find high-value words for word games.

Are there any two-letter words starting with A for Scrabble?

Yes, there are usually valid two-letter words starting with A that are accepted in Scrabble. These short words are incredibly useful for clearing your rack and scoring parallel points.

How is the letter A pronounced in American English?

In American English, the letter A is pronounced with its distinct alphabetical sound. However, its pronunciation can change slightly depending on its position in a word and the letters surrounding it.

Words Starting
With A

Explore the vast world of "A" words. Filter by two-letter combinations below to find exactly what you need. Perfect for students, teachers, and word game enthusiasts.

Explore Words

Total Words

113

All aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az

All Words Starting With A

Abbey Noun Abbot Noun Abbreviate Verb Abbreviation Noun Abdicate Verb Abdomen Noun Abduce Verb Abduct Verb Abduction Noun Abductor Noun Abed Adverb, Adjective Aberrant Adjective Abet Verb

1 2

Origin of the Letter A

Why is 'A' shaped and used the way it is?

The letter 'A' traces its roots back to the Phoenician alphabet around 1000 BCE. The Phoenicians called it "Aleph". The Phoenicians drew an ox head, symbolizing leadership and strength, which is why it earned the first position.

The Evolution

Phoenician: Aleph (Meaning: Ox Head)

Original Symbol: 𐤀

Greek & Latin: Adapted into the modern shape.

Modern English: A

Usage & Significance

Understanding the origin of 'A' helps with spelling, pronunciation, and recognizing root words in modern English vocabulary.

A Words by Length

Quick reference for A-words sorted by character count.

Length	Common Words	Scrabble Point Value Avg
2 Letters	AB	2 - 4 pts
3 Letters	AAL, AAM, AAS, ABA	3 - 6 pts
4 Letters	AAHS, AALS, AANI, AARU	4 - 8 pts
5 Letters	AAHED, AALII, AARGH, AARON	5 - 10 pts
6 Letters	AAHING, AALIIS, AARRGH, ABABUA	6 - 12 pts
7 Letters	AARONIC, AARRGHH, ABABDEH, ABACATE	7 - 14 pts
8 Letters	AARDVARK, AARDWOLF, AARONITE, AASVOGEL	8 - 16 pts

Explore Other Words

Navigate through the alphabet to find more words.

Words Starting With

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Words Ending With

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about words starting with A.

Test Your Knowledge

Take this 50-question quiz on words starting with A.

1. What is 'Abacay'?

A type of plant fiber An ancient counting tool A historical spelling of a Peruvian city A traditional Inca dish

2. Which of the following is a common spelling mistake for 'abaciscus'?

Missing the final 's' Doubling the 'b' (abbaciscus) Using a 'z' instead of 'c' Swapping the 'u' and 's'

3. What is the difference between Aaronical and Levitical?

They are identical Levitical is broader, encompassing the whole tribe Aaronical is broader, encompassing all Israelites Levitical refers only to kings

4. In writing, 'Aarrgh' is almost always immediately followed by what punctuation mark?

Period (.) Question mark (?) Exclamation mark (!) Comma (,)

5. How many syllables does 'abandoning' have?

Three Six Five Four

6. Abaculi is the plural of which word?

Abacus Abaculus Abaciscus Abaca

7. Which suffix in 'abandonee' indicates the recipient of an action?

ab- -don -ee -onee

8. How many syllables does 'abanet' have?

Three Two Four Five

9. What color dye does the aal plant produce?

Blue Yellow Green Red

10. What is the difference between 'abatement' and 'abasement'?

They mean the same thing. Abatement is physical, abasement is mental. Abatement is reducing a nuisance/tax; abasement is humiliating someone. Abatement is positive; abasement is negative.

11. Where do aardvarks live in the wild?

Asia Australia South America Africa

12. Which sentence uses 'abactor' correctly?

The abactor rehearsed his lines for opening night. Under cover of darkness, the abactor drove the herd across the river. She abactored the files into the cabinet. The abactor kidnapped the mayor's son.

13. Which of the following is a valid medical term using 'abacterial'?

Abacterial pyuria Abacterial digestion Abacterial walking Abacterial reading

14. Which of these is a common misspelling of 'aahed'?

Aahed Ahed Aah'd Both B and C

15. How many syllables are in the word 'abacot'?

Two Three Four Five

16. In Spanish, the gender of abadía is:

Masculine Either None - it is invariable Feminine

17. What animal does the word 'aasvogels' refer to?

African vultures African elephants American eagles Asian tigers

18. Which sentence uses 'abet' grammatically and contextually correctly?

I will abet you with your homework. The storm began to abet. He was charged with aiding and abetting the thief. She abetted her friend's diet.

19. Why does 'abandoner' carry more blame than 'leaver'?

It implies responsibility and finality It is longer It is older It is only legal jargon

20. What can the word 'Ababua' refer to besides the people?

The currency The language The capital city The food

21. How many syllables does 'aband' have?

One Two Three Four

22. What does the verb 'abate' mean?

To suddenly stop To increase in intensity To become less active or intense To physically beat something

23. Where does the primary stress fall in the pronunciation of 'abaca'?

First syllable (AH) Second syllable (buh) Third syllable (KAH) Equal stress

24. Which of the following is an antonym (opposite) of 'abbot' in terms of church hierarchy?

Monk Prior Layperson Bishop

25. Which word is the female equivalent of 'abbot'?

Monk Abbess Priestess Bishop

26. Which of the following is an antonym (opposite) of lying abask?

Sunbathing Resting Shivering in the cold Sleeping peacefully

27. Which sentence uses 'abacist' correctly?

I will abacist the numbers. The abacist used a computer. The medieval abacist tallied the coins. She bought an abacist at the store.

28. For general readers, which word is usually the safer choice for mosaic cubes?

Abaculi Tesserae Abaciscus Smalti

29. Which phrase follows standard usage?

Abandonments cases Abandoning cases Abandonments' case records Abandonment cases

30. The Greek root 'aktis' (stem 'aktin-') means what?

mouth stone star ray

31. Which part of speech is the word 'abask'?

Noun Verb Adjective Adverb

32. Which sentence uses the word correctly?

The abbey ruled the abadengo's villages. The abadengo prayed at noon. Two abadengo were sold. An abadengo swam upstream.

33. What is the root word from which 'abaciscus' is derived?

Abacus Basis Discus Circus

34. Which Hebrew word is the direct equivalent of an Aaronite priest?

Rabbi Kohen Navi Shofar

35. What must happen to a person's heart before entering Aaru?

It must be removed. It must be weighed. It must be eaten. It must be burned.

36. Is it appropriate to use 'aahing' in a formal academic essay?

Yes, it sounds professional. Only in the conclusion. No, it is too informal and onomatopoeic. Only if quoting a scientist.

37. What shape gives the abalone shell its nickname?

A star A human ear A heart A crescent moon

38. What does the verb 'abet' primarily mean?

To reduce or calm down To encourage or assist in a crime To argue with someone To abandon a project

39. When should you keep 'abalone' singular in writing?

When counting animals When describing shells When naming the food When listing species

40. What is the singular form of 'aaliis'?

Aal Aalii Aali Aalis

41. What is the singular form of 'abacli'?

Abaculus Abacus Tessera Abaclum

42. What does 'abactinal' refer to in marine biology?

The mouth surface of a starfish The top surface opposite the mouth The reproductive organs The tube feet

43. What is an abacus primarily used for?

Cooking meals Building houses Performing mathematical calculations Playing music

44. What part of speech is 'abactinally'?

Noun Adverb Verb Adjective

45. What is a common mistake when using the word 'abacate'?

Using it as a verb Pluralizing it Using it in historical texts Putting 'the' before it

46. What is a 'mobile abattoir'?

A truck that sells meat A transportable slaughter facility that goes to farms A robot that butchers meat A train car for livestock

47. Which of the following is a correct use of 'ab' as a modifier?

Ab run Ab roller Ab swim Ab jump

48. What does the verb 'abacinate' mean?

To wash with a basin To blind with a hot metal basin To brand with a hot iron To deafen with loud noise

49. From which Latin root does 'abductor' originate?

Ducere (to lead) Battuere (to beat) Brevis (short) Dicare (to proclaim)

50. What is the aardvark's closest living biological relative?

The anteater The pig The elephant The kangaroo