Advanced Vocabulary Starting with "A"

288 entries

• abdicate To formally renounce a throne, high office, or position of authority; more br...
• abdication The formal renunciation of a throne, high office, or position of power; also ...
• abduction In logic, a form of reasoning that infers the most likely explanation for an ...
• aberrant Departing from an accepted standard or norm; deviating from the usual or natu...
• aberration A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically an unwelcome one.
• abjure To solemnly renounce or reject a belief, cause, or claim, typically under oat...
• ablation The removal or destruction of material from a surface, whether by surgical pr...
• abrasion A superficial wound in which the top layers of skin are scraped or worn away ...
• abscond To leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody, avoid arre...
• absolution Formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment; in Christian theology, ...
• absolutism The philosophical belief that certain principles or values are universally tr...
• absolutist A person who holds that certain principles or values are universally valid an...
• absolve To declare someone free from blame, guilt, or responsibility; to formally rel...
• absorb To take in or soak up a substance, information, or impact; to incorporate a s...
• abstain To deliberately choose not to do or have something, particularly to refrain f...
• abstention The act of deliberately choosing not to vote, or the practice of refraining f...
• abstruse Difficult to understand; obscure and requiring deep thought or specialised kn...
• absurdist Relating to or characteristic of the philosophical or artistic view that huma...
• abundant Existing or available in large quantities; more than sufficient to meet a nee...
• academia The world of universities, higher education, and scholarly research, consider...
• accelerate To increase in speed, rate, or pace; to cause something to happen sooner or m...
• acceleration The rate of change of velocity of an object over time; the process of increas...
• accelerometer An instrument that measures the rate of change of velocity of an object, dete...
• accentuation The action of emphasising or making something more noticeable. In linguistics...
• accessory In law, a person who assists in or contributes to the commission of a crime w...
• acclimatisation The process of becoming accustomed to a new climate, environment, or set of c...
• acclimatise To become adjusted to new conditions, especially a different climate, altitud...
• accolade An award, honour, or expression of praise given in recognition of merit or ac...
• accomplice A person who helps another commit a crime or wrongdoing, sharing responsibili...
• accreditation Official recognition that an institution, programme, or person meets establis...
• accrual The accumulation or growth of something over time, especially interest or fin...
• accrue To accumulate or be received over time, typically referring to money, benefit...
• acculturate To adopt the cultural traits or social patterns of another group, or to modif...
• acculturation The process of cultural change and psychological adjustment that occurs when ...
• acidification The process of becoming more acidic, especially the lowering of pH in oceans,...
• acme The point at which something is at its best or most highly developed.
• acolyte A devoted follower or assistant, especially one who supports a prominent figu...
• acoustic Relating to sound or the science of sound. When describing a musical instrume...
• acquiesce To accept or comply with something passively, without protest, even if one do...
• acquit To formally declare someone not guilty of a criminal charge; also, to conduct...
• acrimony Bitterness and sharpness in speech, manner, or feeling, especially during a d...
• acronym A word formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a sin...
• activism The policy or practice of taking vigorous, often confrontational, action to b...
• actuator A mechanical or electrical device that converts energy into physical movement...
• acumen The ability to make good judgements and take quick, effective decisions, espe...
• acute Of a disease or condition, severe and sudden in onset but typically of short ...
• ad-hoc Created or done for a particular purpose as necessary, without prior planning...
• adamant Refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind; utterly firm and unyielding.
• adaptability The quality of being able to adjust readily to new conditions, environments, ...
• adaptation The process of adjusting to new conditions, or a feature that has developed t...
• addendum An item of additional material added at the end of a book, document, or repor...
• adduce To cite or put forward as evidence, a reason, or an example in support of an ...
• adept Highly skilled or very accomplished at a particular activity, often suggestin...
• adhere To stick firmly to a surface, or figuratively, to follow closely and faithful...
• adherent A person who supports or follows a particular party, doctrine, or set of idea...
• adhesion The action or process of sticking to a surface or object. In medicine, abnorm...
• adjacent Next to or near something; sharing a boundary or border. In modern informal u...
• adjective A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, giving more information ...
• adjournment The act of suspending or postponing a meeting, court hearing, or parliamentar...
• adjudicate To make a formal judgement or decision about a disputed matter; to act as a j...
• adjudication The formal process of judging or deciding a dispute or contested matter, typi...
• adjunct Something added or attached to another thing in a supplementary rather than e...
• admittance The reciprocal of impedance in an AC circuit, measuring how readily a circuit...
• admonish To warn or reprimand someone firmly but without severity; to counsel against ...
• adolescent A young person in the process of developing from a child into an adult, typic...
• adrenaline A hormone produced by the adrenal glands that prepares the body for rapid act...
• adroit Clever and skilful in using one's hands or mind, particularly in handling dif...
• adverb A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, typically expressi...
• adversary An opponent or enemy, especially in a conflict, contest, or legal proceeding.
• advocacy Public support or recommendation of a particular cause, policy, or course of ...
• aerodynamic Relating to the way air flows around a moving object, or shaped to reduce air...
• aeronautics The science and practice of designing, building, and operating aircraft that ...
• aerosol A suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas; also the pr...
• aesthete A person with a highly developed appreciation of beauty and the arts, who val...
• aesthetic Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty; a set of principles unde...
• aesthetics The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of beauty, art, and taste,...
• aetiology The study or investigation of the causes and origins of a disease or condition.
• affable Friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to; approachable in manner and dispo...
• affidavit A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, used as evidence in cou...
• affiliate An organisation or person officially attached to or associated with a larger ...
• affluent Having a great deal of money or material wealth; prosperous. Used to describe...
• afforestation The planting of trees on land that has not been forested in recent history, c...
• aficionado A person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity or subj...
• aforementioned Referred to or mentioned earlier in the same text or conversation.
• ageism Prejudice or discrimination against people on the grounds of their age, parti...
• aggrandise To increase the power, status, or wealth of someone or something, often in a ...
• aggravate To make a problem, injury, or offence worse or more serious; informally, to a...
• aggregate A total or combined amount formed by adding together several separate element...
• aggression Hostile or violent behaviour or attitudes towards another; an unprovoked atta...
• agile Able to move quickly and easily, or to think and understand quickly; in busin...
• agitator A person who stirs up public concern or discontent about an issue, especially...
• agnostic A person who believes that the existence of God or the ultimate nature of rea...
• agnosticism The view that the existence of God or the divine is unknown or unknowable, an...
• agroforestry A land management system that combines the growing of trees with crops or liv...
• albeit Although; even though. Used to introduce a concessive clause, typically modif...
• algebraic Relating to or involving algebra, the branch of mathematics that uses symbols...
• algorithm A set of rules or instructions followed in a specific order to solve a proble...
• alienation A feeling of being isolated, estranged, or disconnected from the people, inst...
• allegation A claim or assertion that someone has done something wrong or illegal, typica...
• allegorical Relating to or containing allegory, in which characters, events, or settings ...
• allegory A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning,...
• allergen A substance that causes an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to i...
• alleviate To make suffering, a problem, or a difficult situation less severe or more be...
• alliance A union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially between countrie...
• alliteration The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of closely connec...
• allocate To distribute or designate resources, funds, time, or responsibilities for a ...
• allotrope One of two or more structurally distinct forms in which a chemical element ca...
• alloy A metallic substance made by mixing two or more metals, or a metal with anoth...
• allude To make an indirect or passing reference to something without mentioning it e...
• alluvial Relating to or composed of alluvium — fine sediment (clay, silt, sand, gravel...
• aloof Cool and distant in manner; deliberately keeping oneself apart from others, w...
• alter-ego A second self or alternative personality, often one that contrasts with a per...
• altimeter An instrument used to measure the altitude or height of an object above a fix...
• altruism The selfless concern for the welfare of others; acting in the interest of oth...
• altruist A person who selflessly acts for the benefit of others, even at personal cost...
• altruistic Showing a selfless concern for the wellbeing of others, often at a cost or di...
• amalgam An alloy of mercury with another metal, used especially in dentistry; more br...
• amalgamate To combine or unite two or more things to form a single entity; to merge orga...
• ambiguous Open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning or being unclea...
• ambivalent Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone, bein...
• ambulatory Relating to walking or able to walk. In medicine, it describes care or proced...
• ameliorate To make something bad or unsatisfactory better; to improve conditions or circ...
• amiable Having a friendly and pleasant disposition; likeable and agreeable in character.
• amnesty An official pardon or act of forgiveness granted to a group of people, typica...
• amortise To gradually write off the initial cost of an asset over a period of time; to...
• ample Enough or more than enough; sufficient in size, scope, or quantity to meet re...
• amplifier A device that increases the strength of an electrical signal, or more broadly...
• amplify To increase the volume, strength, or extent of something; to make something l...
• amplitude The maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, measured from the position ...
• amputation The surgical removal of a limb or other body part, usually performed to preve...
• amygdala A small, almond-shaped structure deep within the brain that plays a key role ...
• anabolism The metabolic process of building up complex molecules from simpler ones, req...
• anachronism Something that belongs to a different period of time, especially something co...
• anachronistic Belonging to a period other than the one being portrayed; conspicuously old-f...
• anaesthesia The medically induced loss of sensation, especially to permit the performance...
• analgesic A drug or medicine used to relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness.
• analogous Comparable in certain respects, typically in a way that makes it useful for e...
• analogue Something that is comparable or similar to something else in certain respects...
• analogy A comparison between two things that are alike in some respects, used to expl...
• analytics The systematic computational analysis of data or statistics, used to discover...
• anarchist A person who believes in or advocates the abolition of all forms of governmen...
• anarchy A state of disorder and lawlessness resulting from the absence of governmenta...
• anathema Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes or finds utterly unacceptable.
• ancillary Providing support or assistance to the primary activities of an organisation;...
• andragogy The theory and practice of teaching adults, as distinct from pedagogy, which ...
• anecdotal Based on personal accounts or individual cases rather than systematic evidenc...
• anemometer An instrument used to measure the speed or force of wind, commonly found at w...
• aneurysm An abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel, most commonly ...
• angiogenesis The formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature. It is a nor...
• angiography A medical imaging technique used to visualise the interior of blood vessels a...
• angioplasty A medical procedure in which a narrowed or blocked blood vessel, usually an a...
• animosity Strong hostility or ill feeling towards someone; deep-seated resentment or ha...
• annexation The forcible incorporation of one state's territory by another, typically wit...
• annotate To add explanatory notes or comments to a text, diagram, or other document, t...
• annotation A note or comment added to a text, diagram, or other document to explain or p...
• annualise To convert a rate, figure, or measurement covering a shorter period into an e...
• annuity A fixed sum of money paid to someone each year, typically for the remainder o...
• annul To declare something legally invalid or void, as though it had never existed;...
• anode The positively charged electrode through which conventional electric current ...
• anomalous Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected; irregular or inconsistent.
• anomaly Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.
• anonymity The condition of being anonymous, having one's identity unknown or concealed.
• anorexia An eating disorder characterised by an obsessive desire to lose weight, sever...
• antagonism Active hostility or opposition between people, groups, or ideas.
• antagonist A person who actively opposes or is hostile to another, or the principal oppo...
• antecedent A thing, event, or condition that existed before or logically precedes anothe...
• anthology A published collection of poems, stories, or other writings by various author...
• anthropogenic Originating from human activity. Used primarily in environmental science to d...
• anthropology The study of human societies, cultures, and their development, encompassing b...
• antibiotic A type of medicine that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria, used to tre...
• antibody A protein produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a fore...
• anticlimax A disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events; a sudden d...
• antigen A substance that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against i...
• antimatter Matter composed of antiparticles, which have the same mass as their correspon...
• antipathy A deep-seated feeling of aversion or hostility towards someone or something.
• antiquated Old-fashioned and no longer suitable for modern conditions; outdated.
• antiquity The ancient past, especially the period of Greek and Roman civilisation; also...
• antiseptic A substance that prevents the growth of disease-causing microorganisms, appli...
• antithesis A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.
• antithetical Directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible in principle, character...
• antonym A word that has the opposite meaning of another word. For example, 'hot' is a...
• apathetic Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern; indifferent and unres...
• apex The top or highest part of something; the peak or most important point.
• aphoristic Of, relating to, or expressed in the form of aphorisms — short, witty, memora...
• aplomb Self-confident composure and poise, especially under pressure or in challengi...
• apogee The highest point of development, power, or achievement; the climax or pinnac...
• apologist A person who offers a defence or justification for a controversial belief, po...
• apoptosis A form of programmed cell death in which cells undergo an orderly, geneticall...
• apparatus The equipment, machinery, or system of tools needed for a particular activity...
• appease To pacify or satisfy a demand by making concessions, especially at the expens...
• appellant A person who applies to a higher court for a reversal or modification of a de...
• append To add something to the end of a document, list, or piece of writing, typical...
• appendices The plural of appendix; sections of supplementary material added at the end o...
• appendix A section of supplementary material at the end of a book, report, or document...
• applicant A person who makes a formal application for something, such as a job, a place...
• appraisal A formal assessment of the value, performance, or quality of something or som...
• appreciation An increase in the value of an asset over time; also, recognition and underst...
• apprehension Anxiety or fear about a future event; also the act of arresting or detaining ...
• apprentice A person who is learning a trade or skill from an experienced practitioner, t...
• apprise To inform or notify someone of a situation, development, or fact, especially ...
• appropriation The act of setting aside money or resources for a specific purpose; also, the...
• aptitude A natural ability or talent for learning or doing something, often used to de...
• aquifer An underground layer of water-bearing rock or sediment from which groundwater...
• arbitrage The practice of buying and selling the same asset in different markets simult...
• arbitrary Based on random choice or personal whim rather than any reason or system; unr...
• arbitrate To act as an independent judge in a dispute, reaching a binding decision that...
• arbitration A method of resolving disputes outside the courts in which an independent thi...
• arbitrator An independent person or body appointed to settle a dispute between two parti...
• arcane Understood by few; mysterious or secret, requiring specialised or hidden know...
• archaeology The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation and analysis...
• archaic Very old or old-fashioned; belonging to a much earlier period in history.
• archetype A very typical example of a certain person or thing; an original model or pat...
• archipelago A group or chain of islands scattered across a body of water, or the sea cont...
• archive A collection of historical documents, records, or materials preserved for the...
• ardent Showing intense enthusiasm, passion, or devotion; burning with fervour.
• ardour Intense feeling of passion, warmth, or eager enthusiasm, often directed towar...
• aria A long, accompanied song for a solo voice in an opera, oratorio, or cantata, ...
• aristocracy The highest social class, typically comprising people of noble birth who hold...
• aristocrat A member of the aristocracy or ruling class, typically one who holds a heredi...
• aristocratic Belonging to or characteristic of the aristocracy, or displaying the refined ...
• arithmetic The branch of mathematics dealing with basic operations on numbers: addition,...
• armistice A formal agreement between opposing sides in a conflict to stop fighting, eit...
• arraignment A formal court procedure in which the accused is brought before a judge, the ...
• arrhythmia An abnormal heart rhythm in which the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or...
• arrogate To claim or seize something — typically power, authority, or rights — without...
• artefact An object made by a human being, typically one of historical or cultural inte...
• arthroscopy A minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a small camera (arthroscope)...
• articulate Able to express thoughts and ideas clearly, fluently, and coherently; or to e...
• articulation The clear and effective expression of ideas in speech or writing. In phonetic...
• artisan A skilled worker who makes things by hand, especially using traditional metho...
• ascertain To find out or discover something with certainty through careful investigatio...
• ascetic A person who practises severe self-discipline and abstains from all forms of ...
• ascribe To attribute something to a particular cause, source, or person, especially w...
• ashen Very pale, greyish in complexion, typically as a result of shock, fear, or il...
• assent Official agreement or approval, especially given by someone in authority; als...
• assert To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully. Also, to cause others t...
• assiduous Showing great care, attention, and effort; constant and unremitting in applic...
• assimilate To absorb and integrate new knowledge, ideas, or cultural practices; or to ca...
• assimilation The process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the customs...
• associative Describing a mathematical operation in which the grouping of operands does no...
• assonance The repetition of similar vowel sounds in nearby words, used as a literary de...
• asteroid A small rocky body orbiting the Sun, most commonly found in the asteroid belt...
• astronautics The science and technology of space travel and exploration, encompassing the ...
• astronomical Extremely large in amount or scale, by analogy with the vast distances and qu...
• astute Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and tu...
• asylum Protection granted by a state to a person who has left their own country as a...
• asymptomatic Showing no symptoms of a disease or condition, despite being infected or affe...
• asymptote A line that a curve approaches ever more closely but never actually reaches, ...
• asymptotic Approaching a value or condition ever more closely but never quite reaching i...
• atheism The absence of belief in the existence of gods, or the active rejection of th...
• atheist A person who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.
• atherosclerosis A chronic condition in which fatty deposits (plaques) build up on the inner w...
• atoll A ring-shaped coral reef or chain of small islands encircling a central lagoo...
• atonement The act of making amends for a wrongdoing; reparation for a sin or offence, e...
• atrial Relating to the atria — the two upper chambers of the heart that receive bloo...
• atrophy The gradual decline or wasting away of body tissue, an organ, or a faculty th...
• attache A person on the staff of an ambassador, typically with a specialised area of ...
• attenuate To reduce the force, effect, or value of something; to make thinner or weaker.
• attest To provide evidence of or bear witness to the truth, existence, or quality of...
• attrition The gradual reduction in strength or numbers through sustained pressure, resi...
• audacious Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks; daring and fearless, s...
• audit An official examination and verification of accounts or records; a systematic...
• augment To make something greater in size, number, value, or effectiveness by adding ...
• august Inspiring reverence and admiration; dignified and grand in a way that command...
• auscultation The act of listening to the internal sounds of the body, usually with a steth...
• auspice Protection, sponsorship, or guidance provided by an authoritative body; almos...
• auspicious Suggesting a positive and successful future; indicating favourable conditions...
• austere Severe or strict in manner or appearance; having no comforts or luxuries; pla...
• austerity Strict economic measures implemented by a government to reduce public spendin...
• authenticate To establish or confirm the genuineness, origin, or validity of something, su...
• authorise To give official permission or approval for something to happen, or to give s...
• authoritarian Favouring or enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of person...
• autism A neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in social communi...
• autoclave A sealed, pressurised chamber used to sterilise equipment and materials by su...
• autocracy A system of government in which one person holds absolute power, unchecked by...
• autocratic Relating to a system of government or leadership in which one person holds ab...
• autoimmune Relating to a condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks ...
• automate To convert a process or system to operate largely by automatic equipment or w...
• autonomous Having the freedom or ability to act independently and make decisions without...
• autonomy The right or condition of self-governance; the ability of an individual or gr...
• autopsy A post-mortem examination of a body to determine the cause of death, involvin...
• auxiliary A verb used alongside a main verb to form tenses, moods, voices, or questions...
• avant-garde New and experimental ideas and methods in art, music, or literature; the peop...
• aversion A strong feeling of dislike or reluctance; an intense disinclination towards ...
• avert To prevent or ward off an undesirable event from occurring; also, to turn awa...
• avionics The electronic systems used in aircraft, satellites, and spacecraft, includin...
• axiom A statement or principle that is regarded as being self-evidently true and re...
• axiomatic Self-evidently true; so obvious or well-established as to be accepted without...