alphabetically

American  

[al-fuh-bet-ik-lee] / ˌæl fəˈbɛt ɪk li /

adverb

1. in a way that follows the order of the letters of the alphabet.

2. in a way that uses an alphabet, rather than a syllabary or system of ideograms.

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Explanation

When you do organize something alphabetically, you arrange it in order of the letters of the alphabet. The fiction section of the library sorts books alphabetically by the author's last name. Dictionaries and encyclopedias are organized alphabetically, so that it's easy to find the word you're looking for. Some home cooks arrange their cookbook collection alphabetically by title, while others might place them on the shelf by color instead. The word alphabetically comes from alphabet, which is rooted in the first two Greek letters — arranged alphabetically, by the way — alpha and beta.

Example Sentences

If more than two storms occur between now and August a so called "mini-list" of five names will be created, running alphabetically from A to E.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

The companies are listed alphabetically within the six industry groups represented in the index.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 8, 2025

When Hacker inspected dealers, he said, he would advise them to file records alphabetically to make it easier to notice frequent buyers.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2023

But the custom of naming vitamins alphabetically in order of discovery continued.

From National Geographic • Nov. 9, 2023

I grabbed up the book and took it back to my room and placed it in its place, alphabetically on my shelf.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez