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

Before King Sejong the Great and his team of scholars created the Korean alphabet (Hangul) in 1443, Koreans used Chinese characters (called hanja in Korean) to read and write, and literacy was mostly limited to the wealthy elite. —Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Taking a playful cooking trip through the alphabet with an A-to-Z guide to chili-making ingredients and techniques — from aromatics and avocado oil to the Mexican xoconostle prickly pear and zesty toppings like fresh cilantro, pickled jalapenos, and shredded Pepper Jack cheese. —Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026

The Argentine writer’s short story, first published in 1941, imagines an infinite archive of books in which the alphabet has been configured into every possible combination, resulting in a limitless array of texts meaning everything and nothing. —Raphael Helfand, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026

That said, Duolingo does a good job of teaching new alphabets. —Jill Duffy, PC Magazine, 28 May 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