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 various common terms. 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

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

Words Starting With Aj

No Words Found

We couldn't find any words starting with "A" for the combination "Aj" in our dictionary. Try selecting another combination!

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. Which word rhymes with 'abalone'?

Alone Baloney Clooney Balloon

2. Why should you not confuse the Ababdeh with the Bedouin?

The Ababdeh live in Europe. The Ababdeh are Beja, not Arab. The Ababdeh are farmers, not nomads. The Bedouin are from Asia.

3. Which of the following is a grammatical rule for the word 'Aani'?

It must be lowercase. It requires an article ('the'). It must always be capitalized. It cannot take an apostrophe.

4. Which sentence uses 'aas' correctly?

I saw a aas on the road. The aas is very hot. We walked across the jagged aas. He aased down the mountain.

5. Why do aasvogels have bald heads?

To attract mates To keep clean while eating carrion To fly faster To regulate body temperature in the snow

6. How is the word 'abdomen' typically pronounced in standard American English?

ab-DOH-men AB-duh-men ab-do-MEEN AB-doh-meen

7. Why are aas difficult to walk on?

They are extremely hot for centuries. They are smooth and slippery. They are jagged and sharp. They are completely liquid.

8. Which of the following is the exact opposite of 'abaft'?

Astern Aft Forward Aboard

9. What is the most notable cultural use of aalii seeds in Hawaii?

Lei-making Food Building houses Making paper

10. What does 'abaissed' mean?

Overjoyed Ashamed or abashed Postponed Promoted

11. Which part of speech is the word 'Aani' when used to identify a person?

Common Noun Verb Proper Noun Adjective

12. Where does the primary stress fall in the pronunciation of 'abactinal'?

First syllable Second syllable Third syllable Fourth syllable

13. Which of the following is a grammatically correct use of 'abask'?

I will abask tomorrow. The lizard lay abask on the rock. She has a beautiful abask. He was abasking in the sun.

14. Which modern English word replaced 'abacate'?

Apricot Avocado Artichoke Asparagus

15. What type of plant does the abacaxi grow on?

A tall tree A vine A ground-dwelling bromeliad A bush

16. Which sentence uses 'abduce' grammatically and contextually correctly?

The kidnapper abduced the hostage. The muscle abduces the arm from the midline. I will abduce my evidence to the judge. She abduced the rope to pull the boat in.

17. What does an aasvogel eat?

Fruits and nuts Live antelope Carrion (dead animals) Aquatic plants

18. Which sentence contains a gerund error?

Abandoning the draft felt liberating. She regrets abandoning the search. Abandoning plans are stressful. He admitted abandoning the keys.

19. In which syllable does the primary stress fall in the word 'abacaxi'?

First syllable (a) Second syllable (ba) Third syllable (ca) Fourth syllable (xi)

20. How many syllables does 'abanic' have?

Two Five Four Three

21. Where does the stress fall in 'abandonments'?

Second syllable First syllable Third syllable Fourth syllable

22. What is the primary stress in the pronunciation of 'Aaronitic'?

First syllable (AIR) Second syllable (uh) Third syllable (NIT) Fourth syllable (ik)

23. What was the primary role of an Aaronite in ancient Israel?

To lead the army To serve as priests To farm the land To judge legal disputes

24. Which word is the correct plural of 'abandum'?

Abandanda Abandonia Abandums Abandumes

25. How do you form the possessive of the name Aaron?

Aarons Aarons' Aaron's Aarons's

26. What is the difference between 'abandonment' and 'neglect'?

They mean the same thing. Abandonment means leaving entirely; neglect means failing to care while still present. Abandonment is accidental; neglect is intentional. Abandonment is for objects; neglect is for people.

27. What is the relationship between the 'Aaronic' priesthood and the 'Levitical' tribe?

They are completely unrelated The Aaronic priesthood is a subset of the Levitical tribe The Levitical tribe is a subset of the Aaronic priesthood They are the exact same thing

28. Which sentence is grammatically correct?

The abandonment of the merger shocked us. The abandonment the merger shocked us. The abandonment merger shocked us. We abandonment the merger.

29. Which of the following is the correct verb form of 'abatement'?

Abase Abash Abate Abateify

30. Which spelling do modern scholars prefer?

Abadite Abbadite Ibadi Abadonite

31. Which modern profession is conceptually closest to an abacist?

Teacher Accountant Construction worker Doctor

32. Where does the primary stress fall in 'abandonment'?

First syllable (AB-an-don-ment) Second syllable (uh-BAN-don-ment) Third syllable (uh-ban-DON-ment) Fourth syllable (uh-ban-don-MENT)

33. Which spelling is correct?

abreviation abbreviation abbriviation abbrevation

34. What ecological role do aasvogels play in the savanna?

Hunting live prey Spreading seeds Cleaning up carcasses Pollinating flowers

35. What is the correct pronunciation of 'abacot'?

ah-bah-COAT AB-uh-kot ah-bah-SOT AY-ba-cot

36. Which of the following is a common mistake when using 'abacination'?

Using it as a verb Pluralizing it Using it for general blindness All of the above

37. Where would 'abalones' most likely appear?

A dessert menu A fisheries survey A car manual A weather report

38. What is the modern, standard spelling of Abacay?

Abacai Abancay Abakay Abaca

39. Is 'abaciscus' a common word in everyday conversation?

Yes, people say it daily. No, it is highly specialized and rare. Only in construction work. Only in mathematics.

40. In which kind of writing does 'abandonedly' fit best?

A novel A tax form A user manual A lab report

41. The root of 'abadengo' is Spanish 'abad,' meaning:

Abbot Field Tax River

42. Where does the primary stress fall in the pronunciation of 'abacus'?

First syllable (AB-uh-kuhs) Second syllable (uh-BACK-us) Third syllable (uh-kuhs-AB) All syllables equally

43. What is the primary intent of abacination as a punishment?

To mark the skin To cause deafness To cause permanent blindness To amputate a limb

44. Which sentence uses a current form where 'abaised' once stood?

The knight was abased. The knight was abaised. The knight was abaissed. The knight was abaisedly.

45. What is the word for a person who commits abaction?

Abactor Abductor Abater Abstractor

46. What is abaca primarily grown for?

Its edible fruit Its strong fiber Its medicinal roots Its colorful flowers

47. Why are the letters in 'aarrghh' often repeated (e.g., aaaarrrrggghhh)?

To make it plural To show length and intensity To correct a spelling error To make it formal

48. Which sentence uses 'abbey' grammatically and contextually correctly?

We visited the abbey on the hill. The abbey led the monks in prayer. She was appointed abbey. The Buddhist abbey was beautiful.

49. How is the word 'aardvark' correctly pronounced in American English?

Rhyming with 'hard dark' Rhyming with 'cat bat' Rhyming with 'day park' Rhyming with 'dog log'

50. In logic, what does it mean to 'abduce' a conclusion?

To prove it with 100% certainty To infer the most likely explanation To bring forward evidence To dismiss a theory