alphabet

al-pha-bet · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A set of letters or symbols in a fixed order, used to represent the basic sounds of a language.

  2. 2.

    The basic elements or principles of a subject.

Forms

plural: alphabets

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    alphabet soup — A bewildering array of acronyms; also a soup with letter-shaped pasta.
  • •
    know one's ABCs — To know the basics; to be literate.
  • •
    from A to Z — Completely; covering everything.
  • •
    alphabetical order — Arranged according to the sequence of letters in the alphabet.

Related words

See also: alpha, alphabetical, letter, writing
Synonyms: letters, script, writing system

Etymology

From Late Latin alphabetum, from Greek alphabetos, from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet: alpha + beta. These ultimately derive from Phoenician aleph ("ox") + beth ("house").