alphabetical

American  

[al-fuh-bet-i-kuhl] / ˌæl fəˈbɛt ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. in the order of the letters of the alphabet.

   The list is in alphabetical arrangement.

2. alphabetic.

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alphabetical British  

/ ˌælfəˈbɛtɪkəl /

adjective

1. in the conventional order of the letters or symbols of an alphabet

2. of, characterized by, or expressed by an alphabet

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Other Word Forms

• alphabetically adverb
• nonalphabetical adjective
• nonalphabetically adverb
• prealphabetical adjective
• prealphabetically adverb
• unalphabetical adjective
• unalphabetically adverb

Etymology

Origin of alphabetical

First recorded in 1540–50; alphabet + -ical

Example Sentences

The 10 with the lowest trailing-year volatilities are listed in alphabetical order.

From MarketWatch

Instead, Polymarket’s rules stated that a tie would “resolve in favor of the nominated film whose listed name comes first in alphabetical order.”

From Barron's

Thirty-four, whom I memorized in alphabetical order after reading about them in newspapers.

From Literature

People haven’t lined up in alphabetical order yet—everyone’s just hanging out—so we join Eliana and Jade under the basketball hoop.

From Literature

Where you sat in all the classrooms at St. Catherine’s was alphabetical.

From Literature