alphabetical

[ al-fuh-bet-i-kuhl ]

See synonyms for alphabetical on Thesaurus.com

adjective

in the order of the letters of the alphabet: The list is in alphabetical arrangement.
alphabetic (def. 1).

Origin of alphabetical

First recorded in 1540–50; alphabet + -ical

Other words from alphabetical

al·pha·bet·i·cal·ly, adverb
non·al·pha·bet·i·cal, adjective
non·al·pha·bet·i·cal·ly, adverb
pre·al·pha·bet·i·cal, adjective
pre·al·pha·bet·i·cal·ly, adverb
un·al·pha·bet·i·cal, adjective
un·al·pha·bet·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby alphabetical

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use alphabetical in a sentence

Below is the full list of nonroster invitees, by position and alphabetical order.
Nationals’ top pitching prospects getting set for spring training spotlight | Jesse Dougherty | February 17, 2021 | Washington Post
It’s in the form of 26 chapters arranged alphabetical order.
‘Liar’s Dictionary’ a fab, queer tale for lovers of language | Kathi Wolfe | January 29, 2021 | Washington Blade
The presiding officer opens the envelopes in alphabetical order, and House and Senate “tellers” read the results aloud.
‘Grace and humor’: The vice presidents who certified their own election losses | Gillian Brockell | January 2, 2021 | Washington Post
The following are 10 of the best business books published in 2020, in alphabetical order by title.
The 10 best business books of 2020 | Rachel King | December 5, 2020 | Fortune
For in the preceding half century, alphabetical systems had spread everywhere.
From Encyclopedias to Telephone Books, How Alphabetization Took Over the Modern World | Judith Flanders | October 28, 2020 | Time

Below, listed in alphabetical order by author, are 12 of the best columns from 2012.
John Avlon’s Picks for 12 Best Opinion Columns of 2012 | John Avlon | December 31, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
An alphabetical list of gentlemen admitted to that society, with the dates of their admission, from 1521 to 1674.
Notes and Queries, Number 218, December 31, 1853 | Various
I now go at once to the first division, naming each plant in its alphabetical order.
The plant-lore and garden-craft of Shakespeare | Henry Nicholson Ellacombe
When the numerical index is adopted, an alphabetical index card with cross-references, including the docket index, is used.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 1 | Various
If there are several customers in a town, their cards should be arranged in alphabetical order.
Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 1 | Various
It's all alphabetical; if you want tomatoes, go to T; if you want salmon—S. Just like a dictionary.
Tom Slade with the Colors | Percy K. Fitzhugh

British Dictionary definitions for alphabetical

alphabetical

alphabetic

/ (ˌælfəˈbɛtɪkəl) /

adjective

in the conventional order of the letters or symbols of an alphabet
of, characterized by, or expressed by an alphabet

Derived forms of alphabetical

alphabetically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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