alphabet

noun

al·​pha·​bet ˈal-fə-ˌbet 

-bət

1

a

: a set of letters or other characters with which one or more languages are written especially if arranged in a customary order

b

: a system of signs or signals that serve as equivalents for letters

2

: rudiments, elements

Synonyms of alphabet

• elements
• principles
• grammar
• basis

Examples of alphabet in a Sentence

The Roman alphabet begins with “A” and ends with “Z.”

you need to learn the alphabet of genealogy before you can move on to more advanced study

Recent Examples on the Web

Caroline had a large vocabulary, and she was read to as often as Laura was, both at home and at school, and there were just as many colorful plastic alphabet magnets stuck to the refrigerator in her kitchen. —David Owen, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

Joyce’s Holiday Light Cupcakes In possibly the most iconic scene from season one, Joyce Byers paints the alphabet on the walls of her home and hangs holiday lights with one bulb lining up with each letter to communicate with her son Will in the Upside Down. —Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2025

And yes, that’s pretty darn far into the alphabet, a testament to how much financial infrastructure now exists for high-flying unicorns to stay private (and, frankly, calling Databricks a unicorn seems exceedingly quaint). —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025

Each one carries a small Omega symbol, with the last letter in the Greek alphabet symbolizing the end of the coin’s 232-year production run. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alphabete, from Late Latin alphabetum, from Greek alphabētos, from alpha + bēta beta

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing alphabet

• alphabet soup
• Arabic alphabet
• Aramaic alphabet
• Latin alphabet
• manual alphabet
• mixed alphabet
• phonetic alphabet
• the Roman alphabet

Rhymes for alphabet

• arpanet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• clarinet
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet
• heavyset
• internet

Kids Definition

alphabet

noun

al·​pha·​bet ˈal-fə-ˌbet 

-bət

1

: the letters of a language arranged in their usual order

2

: a system of signs or signals that serve as equivalents for letters

Etymology

Middle English alphabete "alphabet," derived from Greek alphabētos "alphabet," from alpha and bēta, the first and second letters of the Greek alphabet