Search blog

A simple and understandable summary of English words that start with A

The sheer volume of words might seem overwhelming in learning vocabulary by alphabet. But fear not! In this article, PREP will assist you in mastering English words that start with A. We'll organize vocabulary by topics, cover common word types, and provide clear examples for easy comprehension, aiding you in effortlessly recalling and retaining more words.

A simple and understandable summary of English words that start with A
A simple and understandable summary of English words that start with A

I. A summary of English words that start with A

1. Food and beverage

Here's a selection of all words beginning with A related to food, vegetables, and fruits that PREP has prepared for your reference:

Food and beverage
Food and beverage

English words that start with A

Word class

Pronunciation

Example

Apple

Noun

/ˈæpəl/

I had an apple for breakfast this morning.

Apricot

Noun

/ˈeɪprɪkɒt/

The apricots in my garden are ripe and juicy.

Asparagus

Noun

/əˈspærəɡəs/

I grilled some asparagus for dinner last night.

Avocado

Noun

/ˌævəˈkɑːdoʊ/

I love to put avocado slices on my sandwiches.

Apple pie

Noun

/ˈæpəl paɪ/

I love to have a slice of warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

Avocado toast

Noun

/ˌævəˈkɑːdoʊ toʊst/

Avocado toast has become a trendy breakfast item.

Anchovy

Noun

/ˈæŋkəvi/

Anchovy is a popular pizza topping in some regions.

Acorn squash

Noun

/ˈeɪkɔːrn skwɒʃ/

Acorn squash is a nutritious and versatile vegetable.

Arancini

Noun

/ˌærənˈtʃiːni/

Arancini are Italian rice balls stuffed with cheese and meat.

Almond butter

Noun

/ˈɑːmənd ˈbʌtər/

Almond butter is a tasty and healthy alternative to peanut butter.

Aglio e olio

Noun

/ˈælioʊ eɪ ˈoʊlioʊ/

Aglio e olio is a classic Italian pasta dish made with garlic and olive oil.

Atole

Noun

/ˈætoʊleɪ/

During the holiday season, my family enjoys drinking atole with our tamales.

Appletini

Noun

/ˌæplɪˈtiːni/

I ordered an appletini at the bar because I was in the mood for something sweet and fruity.

Aonori

Noun

/aʊˈnɔːri/

I love sprinkling aonori on my rice and noodles to add a savory flavor.

Almonds

Noun

/ˈɑːməndz/

I like to snack on almonds during the day because they’re a good source of protein and healthy fats.

Achacha

Noun

/ˌɑːtʃəˈtʃɑː/

I tried achacha for the first time on my trip to South America and was pleasantly surprised by its unique taste.

Absorb

Verb

/əbˈsɔːrb/

The sponge absorbs water quickly.

Add

Verb

/æd/

Add salt to taste.

Arrange

Verb

/əˈreɪndʒ/

She arranged the fruits beautifully on the platter.

Assemble

Verb

/əˈsɛmbəl/

We need to assemble all the ingredients before we start cooking.

Appetizing

Adjective

/ˈæpɪtaɪzɪŋ/

The appetizing aroma of the freshly baked bread made everyone hungry.

Aromatic

Adjective

/ærəˈmætɪk/

The aromatic spices added a wonderful flavor to the dish.

Acidic

Adjective

/əˈsɪdɪk/

The lemon juice gave the salad a tangy and acidic taste.

Al dente

Adjective

/æl ˈdɛnteɪ/

The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente, with a firm texture.

Ample 

Adjective

/ˈæmpəl/

The buffet offered an ample selection of delicious food.

2. Object

How many English words start with the letter A that refer to objects and utensils? Let's find out with PREP!

Object
Object

English words that start with A

Word class

Pronunciation

Example

Alarm clock

Noun

/əˈlɑːrm klɒk/

The alarm clock woke me up at 6 am. 

Air conditioner

Noun

/ɛər kənˈdɪʃənər/

The air conditioner keeps the room cool on hot days.

Art supplies

Noun

/ɑːt səˈplaɪz/

I bought some art supplies to start painting

Automobile

Noun

/ˈɔːtəməˌbiːl/

The automobile has revolutionized transportation.

Apron

Noun

/ˈeɪprən/

I wore an apron while cooking to keep my clothes clean.

Ashtray

Noun

/ˈæʃˌtreɪ/

Please use the ashtray for your cigarette ashes.

Attache case

Noun

/ˌætæˈʃeɪ keɪs/

He carried his important documents in an attached case.

Air mattress

Noun

/ɛər ˈmætrəs/

We inflated the air mattress for our guests to sleep on. 

Awning

Noun

/ˈɔːnɪŋ/

The awning provided shade from the sun. 

Armchair

Noun

/ˈɑːmˌtʃɛər/

I like to read in my comfortable armchair.

Abacus

Noun

/ˈæbəkəs/

The abacus was used for counting before modern calculators.

Aquarium

Noun

/əˈkwɛəriəm/

I love watching the fish swim in the aquarium.

Antenna

Noun

/ænˈtɛnə/

The antenna helped improve the TV reception.

Antique

Adjective

/ænˈtiːk/

She has a collection of antique furniture.

Artistic

Adjective

/ɑːrˈtɪstɪk/

The painting has a unique and artistic style.

Authentic

Adjective

/ɔːˈθɛntɪk/

The store sells authentic handmade crafts.

Adjustable

Adjective

/əˈdʒʌstəbl/

The chair has an adjustable height.

Attach

Verb

/əˈtætʃ/

Please attach the file to your email before sending it.

Adorn

Verb

/əˈdɔːrn/

She adorned the room with colorful paintings and fresh flowers.

3. Animal

Initially, when thinking about animals, we often consider only a limited number that we see in homes or zoos. However, PREP will guide you to explore "a zoo starting with the letter A"!

English words that start with A

Word class

Pronunciation

Example

Ant

Noun

/ænt/

The ants were busy carrying food back to their nest. 

Alligator

Noun

/ˈælɪɡeɪtər/

The alligator sunned itself on the riverbank. 

Armadillo

Noun

/ˌɑːrməˈdɪloʊ/

The armadillo curled up into a ball for protection. 

Alpaca

Noun

/ˈælpəkə/

The alpaca wool is soft and warm. 

Aardvark

Noun

/ˈɑːrdvɑːrk/

The aardvark dug a hole in search of prey.

Anteater

Noun

/ˈæntˌiːtər/

The anteater has a long snout for eating ants. 

Arctic Fox

Noun

/ˈɑːrktɪk fɑːks/

The arctic fox’s white fur helps it blend in with the snow. 

Anaconda

Noun

/ˌænəˈkɒndə/

The anaconda is a large snake found in South America. 

Axolotl

Noun

/ˈæksəlɒtəl/

The axolotl is a unique salamander that can regrow its limbs.

Angelfish

Noun

/ˈeɪndʒəlˌfɪʃ/

The angelfish is a popular aquarium fish known for its beautiful colors. 

Atlantic Puffin

Noun

/ətˈlæntɪk ˈpʌfɪn/

The Atlantic puffin is a seabird with a distinctive beak. 

Armadillo Lizard

Noun

/ˌɑːrməˈdɪloʊ ˈlɪzərd/

The armadillo lizard is a small reptile with a tough exterior. 

American Bison

Noun

/əˈmɛrɪkən ˈbaɪsən/

The American bison once roamed the grasslands of North America in large herds.

Aquatic

Adjective

/əˈkwætɪk/

Dolphins are highly adapted to their aquatic environment.

Aggressive

Adjective

/əˈɡrɛsɪv/

The aggressive dog barked and growled at the stranger.

Amuse

Verb

/əˈmjuːz/

The cat’s playful antics never fail to amuse her owner.

4. Festival

Come along with PREP to discover festival-themed words that start with the letter "A"!

English words that start with A

Word class

Pronunciation

Example

Amusement

Noun 

/əˈmjuːzmənt/

The amusement park has a variety of rides and attractions for people of all ages.

Appetizer

Noun 

/ˈæpɪˌtaɪzər/

The restaurant’s garlic bread makes a delicious appetizer to share with friends.

Atmosphere

Noun 

/ˈætməsfɪər/

The Halloween party had a spooky atmosphere with dim lighting and eerie music.

Altar

Noun 

/ˈɔːltər/

The wedding ceremony was held in a beautiful church with an ornate altar.

Angel

Noun 

/ˈeɪndʒəl/

Many Christmas decorations feature angels as a symbol of peace and goodwill.

Acrobatics 

Noun 

/ˌækrəˈbætɪks/

The circus performers wowed the audience with their acrobatics and daring tricks.

Anthem 

Noun 

/ˈænθəm/

The national anthem is played before every sporting event to honor the country.

Adventure

Noun 

/ədˈvɛntʃər/

She had some exciting adventures in Peru.

Appear

Verb

/əˈpɪər/

The float appears to be getting closer to the crowd during the parade.

Attractively

Adverb

/əˈtræktɪvli/

The decorations on the street are arranged attractively to create a festive atmosphere.

Adorable

Adjective

/əˈdɔːrəbl/

The children in their cute costumes looked absolutely adorable during the Halloween party.

Abandon

Verb

/əˈbændən/

The revelers abandoned their inhibitions and danced wildly in the street during the carnival.

Account

Noun

/əˈkaʊnt/

The event organizer kept a meticulous account of all the expenses incurred during the festival.

Animated

Adjective

/ˈænɪˌmeɪtɪd/

The streets were filled with animated crowds during the festival.

5. Education

Regarding education, what words start with A do we have? Let’s explore together with PREP!

English words that start with A

Word class

Pronunciation

Example

Academic

Adjective

/ˌækəˈdɛmɪk/

She is pursuing her academic career in computer science.

Achievement

Noun

/əˈtʃiːvmənt/

Winning the competition was a great achievement for him.

Admission

Noun

/ədˈmɪʃən/

The university has strict admission requirements.

Assignment

Noun

/əˈsaɪnmənt/

The teacher gave us a new assignment today.

Assessment

Noun

/əˈsɛsmənt/

The assessment of the project will be based on various criteria.

Attendance

Noun

/əˈtɛndəns/

Regular attendance is important for academic success.

Award

Noun

/əˈwɔːrd/

She received an award for her outstanding performance in science.

Absence

Noun

/ˈæbsəns/

His absence from class was due to illness.

Analyze

Verb

/ˈænəˌlaɪz/

To solve the problem, we need to analyze it carefully.

Art college

Noun

/ɑːrt ˈkɒlɪdʒ/

She is studying at an art college in Paris

Accredited

Adjective

/əˈkrɛdɪtɪd/

The university is accredited by the government.

Arithmetic

Adjective

/əˈrɪθmətɪk/

Basic arithmetic skills are essential for everyday life.

Academic transcript

Noun

/ˌækəˈdɛmɪk ˈtrænˌskrɪpt/

He requested a copy of his academic transcript from the university.

6. Sports

When it comes to sports, here's a compiled list by PREP featuring common vocabulary starting with the letter "A." Take a look and use it as a reference!

Sports
Sports

English words that start with A

Word class

Pronunciation

Example

Arena

Noun

/əˈriːnə/

The football match will be held in the new arena.

Archery

Noun

/ˈɑːrtʃəri/

He practices archery every weekend.

Agility

Noun

/əˈdʒɪləti/

The dog’s agility helped it win the obstacle course race.

Aerobics

Noun

/ɛˈroʊbɪks/

She attends aerobics classes to stay in shape.

Advance

Noun

/ədˈvæns/

The team is advancing towards the finals of the tournament.

Aim

Noun

/eɪm/

He aimed the ball at the goal and scored.

Adapt

Verb

/əˈdæpt/

The athlete had to adapt to the high altitude to perform well.

Attack

Verb

/əˈtæk/

The team launched a fierce attack on the opposing team.

Accelerate

Verb

/əkˈsɛləreɪt/

He accelerated toward the finish line and won the race.

Active

Adjective

/ˈæktɪv/

She leads an active lifestyle, participating in various sports and activities.

Athletic

Adjective

/æθˈlɛtɪk/

He has an athletic build from playing sports regularly.

Agile

Adjective

/ˈædʒaɪl/

The gymnast’s agile movements impressed the judges.

Adrenaline 

Noun

/əˈdrɛnəlɪn/

The rush of adrenaline that comes with extreme sports is what keeps many thrill-seekers coming back for more.

Association 

Noun

/əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/

The National Football Association is responsible for governing the rules and regulations of professional football in the United States.

Athlete

Noun

/ˈæθliːt/

The Olympics is the ultimate stage for the world’s greatest athletes to showcase their skills and abilities.

Attire 

Noun

/əˈtaɪər/

The attire for golf tournaments usually requires players to wear collared shirts and khaki pants or shorts. 

Assist 

Verb

/əˈsɪst/

In basketball, a player can receive an assist for passing the ball to a teammate who then scores a basket.

II. A summary of English words that start with A categorized by word classes

1. Verb

The table below will contain English words that start with A pertaining to verb types.

English words that start with A

Pronunciation

Example

Abandon

/əˈbændən/

She abandoned her car and walked home in the rain.

Accomplish

/əˈkɑːmplɪʃ/

I finally accomplished my goal of running a marathon.

Accuse

/əˈkjuːz/

He accused me of stealing his phone, but I didn’t do it.

Achieve

/əˈtʃiːv/

With hard work and determination, she was able to achieve her dreams.

Act

/ækt/

He acted the part of the villain in the school play.

Adapt

/əˈdæpt/

The animals have adapted to living in the desert.

Add

/æd/

Can you add some sugar to my coffee, please?

Admire

/ədˈmaɪər/

I admire her courage in standing up to the bullies.

Admit

/ədˈmɪt/

He finally admitted that he was wrong.

Adopt 

/əˈdɒpt/

They decided to adopt a child from a foreign country.

Advance

/ədˈvæns/

The army advanced on the enemy’s position.

Advertise

/ˈædvərˌtaɪz/

They advertised the new product on TV and in magazines.

Advocate

/ˈædvəˌkeɪt/

She advocates for equal rights for all people.

Affirm

/əˈfɜrm/

She affirmed her belief in the power of positive thinking.

Aggravate

/ˈæɡrəˌveɪt/

His comments only served to aggravate the situation.

2. Adjective

Here's a list of adjectives starting with the letter "A," along with their meanings and illustrations for your quicker acquisition:

English words that start with A

Pronunciation

Example

Adequate

/ˈædɪkwət/

He didn’t have adequate time to prepare for the exam.

Angry

/ˈæŋɡri/

He was really angry when he found out what had happened.

Amused

/əˈmjuːzd/

The children were amused by the clown’s performance. 

Anxious

/ˈæŋkʃəs/

She was anxious about the exam results.

Awful

/ˈɔːfəl/

The weather today is really awful. 

Awesome

/ˈɔːsəm/

The fireworks display was truly awesome. 

Ambitious

/æmˈbɪʃəs/

He is a very ambitious person and wants to be successful in his career. 

Absent-minded

/ˌæbsənt ˈmaɪndɪd/

She’s so absent-minded that she forgets everything. 

Alive

/əˈlaɪv/

The feeling of being alive is exhilarating.

Attractive

/əˈtræktɪv/

She is a very attractive woman with a lovely smile. 

Authentic

/ɔːˈθɛntɪk/

The antique store sells only authentic pieces. 

Adaptable

/əˈdæptəbl/

She’s an adaptable person and can work in any situation. 

Agile

/ˈædʒaɪl/

The cat was so agile that it jumped over the fence effortlessly. 

Avid

/ˈævɪd/

He is an avid reader and reads at least two books a week. 

Astonishing

/əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ/

The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely astonishing. 

3. Adverb

Here are some English adverbs starting with the letter "A"

English words that start with A

Pronunciation

Example

Accordingly

/əˈkɔːrdɪŋli/

When we receive your instructions we will act accordingly.

Anxiously

/ˈæŋkʃəsli/

He waited anxiously for the results. 

Afterwards

/ˈæftərwərdz/

We went to the cinema and afterwards we had dinner.

Almost

/ˈɔːlmoʊst/

She almost missed her flight. 

Always

/ˈɔːlweɪz/

He always arrives on time.

Anyway

/ˈɛnɪˌweɪ/

I’m not sure if I can make it, but I’ll try anyway.

Already

/ɔːlˈrɛdi/

She has already finished her homework. 

Also

/ˈɔːlsoʊ/

She is an excellent singer and also a talented actress. 

Altogether

/ˌɔːltəˈɡɛðər/

The party was altogether a success.

Again

/əˈɡɛn/

He had to do it again.

Apart

/əˈpɑːrt/

The two buildings were 50 meters apart.

Around

/əˈraʊnd/

She looked around to see if anyone was watching.

4. Noun

The last and also the most common word class is nouns. Here's a list of English words starting with the letter "A" categorized as nouns:

English words that start with A

Pronunciation

Noun

Animal

/ˈænɪməl/

The zoo is home to many different animals.

Airport

/ˈɛərpɔːrt/

We arrived at the airport three hours before our flight. 

Article

/ˈɑːrtɪkəl/

She wrote an article about the benefits of exercise.

Access

/ˈæksɛs/

The new road provides easier access to the city center.

Area

/ˈɛəriə/

This area is known for its beautiful scenery. 

Action

/ˈækʃən/

The police took action to stop the robbery. 

Apartment

/əˈpɑːrtmənt/

She lives in a small apartment in the city. 

Agreement

/əˈɡriːmənt/

They reached an agreement on the terms of the contract. 

Audience

/ˈɔːdiəns/

The audience was captivated by the performance. 

Artist

/ˈɑːrtɪst/

He is a talented artist who specializes in oil paintings. 

Analysis

/əˈnæləsɪs/

The analysis showed that there were significant differences between the two groups. 

Account

/əˈkaʊnt/

She opened a new bank account yesterday. 

Application

/ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən/

He submitted his application for the job online.

Adventure

/ədˈvɛntʃər/

They went on an exciting adventure through the jungle.

III. Exercises on English words that start with A

1. Exercise

Exercise 1: Make examples with the following words.

Apricot, Artist, Astonishing, Air conditioner, Alligator, Anyway, Accomplish, Aggravate, Apartment,  Amused

Exercise  2: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate names of animal

Alpaca

Ant

Anaconda

Anteater

Armadillo

  • …………………………..were busy carrying food back to their nest.
  • …………………………..curled up into a ball for protection. 
  • …………………………..wool is soft and warm. 
  • …………………………..is a large snake found in South America. 
  • …………………………..has a long snout for eating ants. 

2. Answer

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

  1. Apricot: The apricots in my garden are ripe and juicy.
  2. Artist: He is a talented artist who specializes in oil paintings.
  3. Astonishing: The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely astonishing.
  4. Air conditioner: The air conditioner keeps the room cool on hot days. 
  5. Alligator: The alligator sunned itself on the riverbank. 
  6. Anyway: I’m not sure if I can make it, but I’ll try anyway.
  7. Accomplish: I finally accomplished my goal of running a marathon.
  8. Aggravate: His comments only served to aggravate the situation.
  9. Apartment: They have six luxury apartments for sale.
  10. Amused: She was very amused by your comments.
  1. Ant
  2. Armadillo
  3. Alpaca
  4. Anaconda
  5. Anteater

IV. Excel in IELTS: Tips from the Experts

The aforementioned article has presented a collection of English vocabulary starting with the letter A. These words, assembled by PREP, are practical, common, and useful in everyday use. If you’re ready to learn from the best, PREP’s expert tips and insider advice will help you excel in every section of the IELTS exam. 

Master Tu Pham
Master Tu Pham
Founder/CEO at Prep
Founder of Prep Smart Test Preparation Platform. With over 10 years of experience in teaching and test preparation, Mr. Tú has helped thousands of students achieve high scores in the IELTS exam. In addition, Mr. Tú Phạm is also a consulting expert in British Council programs and a speaker at many leading educational events, programs, and conferences.
View more

Comment

0/300 characters