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

Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet while English uses the Latin one. — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Yet a soft travel case with an X-Ray print of toiletries; a yo-yo bordered with the alphabet from Japanese games company Freshthings; and a monogrammed metal zester add variety to the mix. — Amy Verner, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026

Each room is labelled with a letter of the alphabet and filled with books recounting every human life. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Others feature question words, letters of the alphabet and colors of the rainbow, some translated from Spanish to English. — Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026

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
• bassinet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• clarinet
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet
• heavyset

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