alphabet
word
/ˈæɫfəˌbɛt/
AL-fuh-bet
/ˈælfəbˌɛt/
AL-fuh-bet
Definition
The set of letters or characters used in a language, arranged in a fixed order.
Usage & Nuances
'Alphabet' usually refers to the basic set of letters for reading and writing a language, like the 'English alphabet'. Used in both formal and informal contexts. Do not confuse with 'letter' (which is a single character) or 'script' (writing system for several languages).
Spanish: abecedario - alfabetoPortuguese (BR): alfabetoPortuguese (PT): alfabetoChinese (Simplified): 字母表Chinese (Traditional): 字母表Hindi: वर्णमालाArabic: أبجديةBengali: বর্ণমালাRussian: алфавитJapanese: アルファベットVietnamese: bảng chữ cáiKorean: 알파벳Turkish: alfabeUrdu: حروف تہجیIndonesian: alfabet
Example Sentences
The English alphabet has 26 letters.
basic
We learned the Greek alphabet at school.
basic
Can you recite the alphabet?
basic
I still get some letters mixed up in the French alphabet.
natural
Learning a new alphabet can be challenging at first.
natural
Some languages use more than one alphabet for writing.
natural