📖 A — The English dictionary · page 23

akin — Everyday, meaning 1: Similar to or like something: «akin to» means much the same as.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (old use) Related by family.↗ Example: A dolphin's clicks are akin to a language.↗ · The feeling was akin to joy.↗ · Lions are akin to house cats.↗ · Her voice was akin to a whisper.↗ · Riding a bike is akin to swimming: once learned, never forgotten.↗ · This game is akin to chess.↗ · Now the Dreadful Women were akin to the Three Gray Sisters, and it was hard for them to tell the boy the way.↗

al — Everyday, meaning 1: Al is a short form of boys' names like Albert, Alan, Alfred or Alexander.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: In «et al.» (Latin for «and others») it is a short form used in science writing for a list of authors.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: In «al dente» (Italian) it means pasta cooked so it is still a little firm.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Al is also the chemical symbol for aluminium, written with a capital A.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: In some Arabic names, al means 'the', as in Haroun-al-Raschid.↗ Example: Al has 8 marbles and gives 3 to Sue.↗ · Uncle Al fixed our bike.↗ · The study was written by Smith et al.↗ · Cook the spaghetti until it is al dente.↗ · The symbol Al stands for aluminium.↗ · «Call me Al,» said the new boy.↗ · In this case the name is AL, El.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · In this case we have the simple form AL, EL.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · The words are ADUN IChID AL, or " Adonai (as commonly written) the only EL" (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗

alabama — Everyday, meaning 1: A state in the south-east of the United States; its capital is Montgomery.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A river in that state.↗ Example: Alabama is in the south of the United States.↗ · Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat in Alabama.↗ · My cousin lives in Alabama.↗ · Alabama has warm, wet summers.↗ · Rockets have been built in Alabama.↗ · The Alabama River flows into the Gulf of Mexico.↗

alabaster — Everyday, meaning 1: Alabaster is a smooth, pale, shiny white stone, often carved into statues and vases.↗ Example: The statue was carved from white alabaster.↗ · The castle was decorated with alabaster statues.↗ · Her skin looked as smooth as alabaster.↗

alacrity — Everyday, meaning 1: Alacrity means quickness and eagerness in doing something, without delay.↗ Example: She accepted the invitation with alacrity.↗ · The dog ran to fetch the ball with alacrity.↗ · The soldiers obeyed the order with alacrity.↗

alarm — Everyday, meaning 1: A device that makes a loud noise to warn people of danger: a fire alarm, a smoke alarm.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A clock or phone sound that wakes you up at a set time.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A sudden feeling of fear or worry: «She cried out in alarm».↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Verb: to make someone worried or frightened.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: Alarming means causing fear or worry, or being shocking.↗ Example: When the fire alarm rings, line up and walk outside.↗ · Our smoke alarm beeps when the battery is low.↗ · My alarm goes off at seven.↗ · It was a false alarm — just burnt toast.↗ · Never set off a fire alarm as a joke.↗ · She raised the alarm when she saw smoke.↗ · The car alarm went off in the night.↗ · Don't be alarmed — it's only a drill.↗ · The other Danish and Swedish stories are not alarming.↗ · And when ye blow an alarm, the camps that lie on the east side shall take their journey.↗ (Torah NUM.10.5, JPS 1917)↗ · But when the assembly is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.↗ (Torah NUM.10.7, JPS 1917)↗ · And when ye blow an alarm the second time, the camps that lie on the south side shall set forward; they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.↗ (Torah NUM.10.6, JPS 1917)↗ · A day of the horn and alarm, against the fortified cities, and against the high towers.↗ (Prophets ZEP.1.16, JPS 1917)↗ · Blow ye the horn in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah; sound an alarm at Beth-aven: 'Behind thee, O Benjamin!'↗ (Prophets HOS.5.8, JPS 1917)↗ · I cannot hold my peace! because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the horn, the alarm of war.↗ (Prophets JER.4.19, JPS 1917)↗

alas — Everyday, meaning 1: (old-fashioned or literary) A word that shows sadness, sorrow or regret: «Alas, it was too late.».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (humorous) Used today in a joking way for small disappointments.↗ Example: Alas, the ship sank before it reached the shore.↗ · «Alas!↗ I shall be too late!» cried the White Rabbit.↗ · I wanted to go to the beach, but alas, it rained all day.↗ · Alas, poor Toad was locked in the deepest dungeon.↗ · Alas, there was no chocolate left in the box.↗ · The knight looked for the dragon, but alas, it had flown away.↗ · Alas, a great deal too near!↗ · And he took up his parable, and said: Alas, who shall live after God hath appointed him?↗ (Torah NUM.24.23, JPS 1917)↗ · And his servant said unto him: 'Alas, my master! how shall we do?'↗ (Prophets 2KI.6.15, JPS 1917)↗ · And he laid his carcass in his own grave; and they made lamentation for him: 'Alas, my brother!'↗ (Prophets 1KI.13.30, JPS 1917)↗ · Who crieth: 'Woe'? who: 'Alas'? who hath contentions? who hath raving? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?↗ (Writings PRO.23.29, JPS 1917)↗

alaskan — Everyday, meaning 1: adjective.↗ e.g. From or about Alaska, the largest state of the USA, in the far north-west of North America.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: noun.↗ e.g. A person who lives in or comes from Alaska.↗ Example: Alaskan winters are long and dark.↗ · The Alaskan brown bear catches salmon.↗ · An Alaskan Malamute pulled the sled.↗ · My pen pal is an Alaskan.↗ · Alaskan glaciers are melting faster.↗ · Many Alaskan towns can only be reached by plane.↗

albatross — Everyday, meaning 1: An albatross is a very large seabird with long narrow wings that can glide over the ocean for a long time.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (figurative) An albatross (around your neck) is a problem or burden you cannot escape.↗ Example: The albatross can glide for hours without flapping.↗ · An albatross has a wingspan over three metres.↗ · Albatrosses are found near New Zealand.↗ · Plastic in the sea harms albatrosses.↗ · That old debt is an albatross around his neck.↗ · Albatrosses spend most of their lives at sea.↗

albino — Everyday, meaning 1: An albino is a person or animal born with little or no colour (pigment) in the skin, hair and eyes, so they are very pale or white.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Albino describes such an animal or person, as in an albino tiger.↗ Example: The zoo has an albino alligator.↗ · An albino rabbit has white fur and pink eyes.↗ · Albino animals are rare in the wild.↗ · A person with albinism may need strong sun cream.↗ · The albino peacock looked like it was made of snow.↗ · Albinism is passed on in genes.↗

album — Everyday, meaning 1: An album is a book with empty pages for keeping photos, stamps or stickers.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: An album is a set of songs put out together by a singer or a band.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A photo album can also be a folder of pictures on a phone.↗ Example: Each album has 20 pages.↗ · She puts 6 photos on each page of the album.↗ · The band's new album has 12 songs.↗ · He filled 3 albums with stamps.↗ · Grandma showed us her old photo album.↗ · I need 5 more stickers to finish my album.↗ · The singer's first album came out last year.↗ · The album has a picture of the sea on the cover.↗ · We made an album of our holiday.↗ · Each song on the album lasts about 3 minutes.↗

alchemical — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: Having to do with alchemy, the old study that tried to turn metals into gold.↗

alchemist — Everyday, meaning 1: An alchemist was a person long ago, in the Middle Ages and before, who tried to turn ordinary metals like lead into gold and to find a medicine that would make people live for ever.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: In stories, an alchemist is a kind of wizard who mixes strange potions.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Figuratively, an alchemist is someone who seems to turn ordinary things into something wonderful.↗ Example: The alchemist tried to turn lead into gold.↗ · Alchemists worked with bubbling pots and glass flasks.↗ · Isaac Newton also did experiments as an alchemist.↗ · No alchemist ever really made gold.↗ · In the game, the alchemist sells healing potions.↗ · The chef is an alchemist with leftovers.↗ · Chemistry grew out of the work of alchemists.↗

alcohol — Everyday, meaning 1: A colourless liquid in drinks like beer, wine and spirits that changes the way people think and act, and can make them drunk.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Drinks that contain this (He doesn't drink alcohol).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A liquid chemical used for cleaning and killing germs (rubbing alcohol, hand sanitiser) and as a fuel.↗ Example: Alcohol is not safe for children to drink.↗ · Beer and wine contain alcohol.↗ · People should never drive after drinking alcohol.↗ · Hand sanitiser has alcohol in it to kill germs — never drink it.↗ · The nurse cleaned the cut with an alcohol wipe.↗ · This drink is alcohol-free.↗ · Alcohol evaporates faster than water.↗

alcoholic — Everyday, meaning 1: An alcoholic drink has alcohol in it, like beer, wine or whisky.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: An alcoholic is a person who has an illness that makes them need to drink alcohol and find it very hard to stop.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Non-alcoholic means without alcohol, like juice or lemonade.↗ Example: Children must never drink alcoholic drinks.↗ · Wine and beer are alcoholic.↗ · The party had lots of non-alcoholic punch for the kids.↗ · Her grandad was an alcoholic, but he stopped drinking long ago.↗ · Being an alcoholic is an illness, and people can get help.↗ · Check the label to see if a drink is alcoholic.↗ · The shop cannot sell alcoholic drinks to anyone under age.↗ · Ginger beer is usually non-alcoholic, even though it says "beer".↗

alcoholism — Everyday, meaning 1: An illness in which a person cannot stop drinking alcohol, even though it harms them and the people around them.↗ Example: Alcoholism is an illness that can be treated.↗ · Her uncle got help for his alcoholism.↗ · Alcoholism can hurt whole families.↗ · Doctors and support groups help people with alcoholism.↗ · The story is about a boy whose father struggles with alcoholism.↗ · Talking to a trusted adult helps if alcoholism affects your home.↗

alcove — Everyday, meaning 1: An alcove is a small recess set back in a wall of a room, a little space for a seat or for objects to be shown.↗ Example: The vase stood in an alcove by the fireplace.↗ · She read her book in the cosy alcove by the window.↗ · The statue was kept in a small alcove in the hall.↗

alder — Everyday, meaning 1: An alder is a tree of the birch family that grows by rivers and in wet ground, with roundish leaves and small cones and catkins.↗ Example: Alders grow along the river bank.↗ · The alder has small brown cones like tiny pine cones.↗ · Siskins feed on alder seeds in winter.↗ · The Rat tied his boat to an old alder.↗ · Alder wood lasts well in water.↗ · Catkins hang from the alder in early spring.↗ · Between the crevices there grew a little rowan tree and four alder bushes.↗

ale — Everyday, meaning 1: A kind of beer, often darker or stronger, made with malted barley.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (old-fashioned) Any beer.↗ Example: The travellers drank ale at the inn.↗ · Ginger ale is a fizzy drink for children too.↗ · In the Middle Ages, many people drank weak ale.↗ · The pub sells local ales.↗ · The innkeeper poured a mug of ale.↗ · She ordered a ginger ale with ice.↗ · Quoth he: "I like a glass of good ale and a well-toasted bannock.↗

aleph — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: The first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.↗ Example: all the other letters, and all the other letters with Aleph (א).↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)↗ · The Three Mothers are Aleph, Mem and Shin, they are Air, Water and Fire.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · And this is the impress of the whole, twenty-one letters, all from one the Aleph.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887)↗

alert — Everyday, meaning 1: Watching and listening carefully, awake and ready to notice danger or act quickly.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A warning signal or message about danger or something important (a weather alert, a phone alert).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To warn someone or tell them about something so they can act.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: On the alert / on high alert: ready and watching for danger.↗ Example: Stay alert when you cross the road.↗ · The meerkat stood up, alert for eagles.↗ · My phone gave an alert when the message arrived.↗ · The town got a flood alert after the heavy rain.↗ · A neighbour smelled smoke and alerted the fire brigade.↗ · The guard dog was alert all night.↗ · After a good sleep you feel more alert in class.↗ · Police are on high alert during the parade.↗ · His alert eye caught sight of a rawhide rope staked to the water's brink, which led away toward a small round hut in the distance.↗

alertness — Everyday, meaning 1: Alertness is being awake, watchful and ready to notice and react quickly.↗ Example: Sleep helps your alertness in class.↗ · The guard's alertness stopped the thief.↗ · Drivers need full alertness.↗ · Too much screen time at night lowers alertness the next day.↗ · Dogs show alertness when they prick up their ears.↗ · Coffee can increase alertness in adults.↗

alexander — Everyday, meaning 1: Alexander is a boy's first name; short forms are Alex, Al, Xander and Sandy.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Alexander the Great was a famous king of ancient Macedonia who built a huge empire.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Alexander is also a family name.↗ Example: Alexander has three more stickers than Ben.↗ · My friend Alexander likes to be called Alex.↗ · Alexander the Great led his army as far as India.↗ · Alexander scored the winning goal.↗ · The city of Alexandria is named after Alexander.↗ · Alexander shared 12 sweets equally with his sister.↗ · After that, Alexander and Bucephalus were the best of friends.↗