alphabetize

[al-fuh-bi-tahyz]

verb (used with object), al·pha·bet·ized, al·pha·bet·iz·ing.

to put or arrange in alphabetical order.

to express by or furnish with an alphabet.

Also especially British, al·pha·bet·ise.

Origin of alphabetize

First recorded in 1865–70; alphabet + -ize

Related formsal·pha·bet·i·za·tion

[al-fuh-bet-uh-zey-shuh n, -bi-tuh-] /ˌæl fəˌbɛt əˈzeɪ ʃən, -bɪ tə-/, nounal·pha·bet·iz·er, nounmis·al·pha·bet·ize, verb (used with object), mis·al·pha·bet·ized, mis·al·pha·bet·iz·ing.un·al·pha·bet·ized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for alphabetizer

alphabetize

alphabetise

verb (tr)

to arrange in conventional alphabetical order

to express by an alphabet

Derived Formsalphabetization or alphabetisation, nounalphabetizer or alphabetiser, noun

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

Word Origin and History for alphabetizer

alphabetize

1866, from alphabet + -ize. Related: Alphabetized; alphabetizing.