The Complete List of Nouns That Start With A

This list includes 133 Nouns that start with A, from “ability” to “axis”. It features common, useful terms for writing, language study, and vocabulary building.

Nouns that start with A are words that name people, places, things, or ideas beginning with the letter A. Many come from Latin or Greek and include familiar examples like “atlas” and “agenda.”

Below you’ll find the table with Noun, Definition, and Example.

Noun: The headword you can scan quickly to find the specific word and its correct spelling or form.

Definition: A concise one-line meaning that helps you understand context and choose the correct sense for your use.

Example: A short natural sentence showing how the noun appears in real writing or conversation, so you can model your own sentences.

Nouns that start with A

Noun	Countability	Meaning	Example
ability	both	The power or capacity to do or act physically or mentally.	Her ability to speak four languages is extremely impressive for her age.
absence	both	The state of being away from a place or person.	His absence from the meeting was noted by the new manager.
abuse	both	Cruel and violent treatment of a person or animal.	The organization works to prevent child abuse in all its forms.
accent	countable	A distinctive way of pronouncing a language, especially one associated with a region.	She has a lovely French accent from her time studying abroad.
acceptance	uncountable	The action of consenting to receive or undertake something offered.	He finally received his letter of acceptance to the university.
access	uncountable	The means or opportunity to approach or enter a place or use something.	The new ramp provides wheelchair access to the main library building.
accident	countable	An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly, often resulting in damage or injury.	He was involved in a minor car accident on his way home.
account	countable	A report or description of an event or experience.	She gave a detailed account of what happened during the robbery.
achievement	both	A thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill.	Winning the championship was a remarkable achievement for the underdog team.
acid	both	A chemical substance, often a corrosive or sour-tasting liquid.	Lemon juice contains citric acid, which gives it a sour taste.
acquaintance	countable	A person one knows slightly, but who is not a close friend.	I ran into an old acquaintance at the grocery store today.
action	both	The process of doing something to achieve an aim.	The government promised to take immediate action on climate change.
activity	both	The condition in which things are happening or being done.	The park was filled with the activity of children playing games.
actor	countable	A person whose profession is acting on the stage or in films.	The lead actor gave a powerful and emotional performance in the play.
addiction	both	The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity.	He is seeking professional help for his gambling addiction.
address	countable	The particulars of the place where someone lives or an organization is situated.	Please write your full name and address on the top line.
adjustment	both	A small alteration or movement made to achieve a desired fit or result.	She made a slight adjustment to the mirror before driving away.
administration	both	The process or activity of running a business, organization, or government.	The new administration has promised to lower taxes for working families.
admiration	uncountable	Respect and warm approval for someone or something.	I have great admiration for her dedication to the community project.
adult	countable	A person who is fully grown or developed.	You must be an adult to purchase tickets for this movie.
advantage	both	A condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable position.	Her height gave her a clear advantage in the basketball game.
adventure	both	An unusual, exciting, and daring experience or activity.	Their trip to the Amazon rainforest was a true outdoor adventure.
advertisement	countable	A notice or announcement in a public medium promoting a product or service.	I saw an advertisement for the new smartphone on a billboard.
advice	uncountable	Guidance or recommendations offered regarding a future action.	He asked his mentor for some excellent advice on his career path.
affair	countable	An event or sequence of events of a specified kind.	The wedding was a grand affair with over 300 guests attending.
afternoon	countable	The part of the day from noon or lunchtime until evening.	We are planning to go for a long walk this afternoon.
age	both	The length of time that a person has lived or a thing has existed.	The legal drinking age in this country is twenty-one years old.
agency	countable	A business or organization providing a particular service on behalf of another.	She found her new job through a local recruitment agency.
agenda	countable	A list of items to be discussed at a formal meeting.	The first item on the agenda is the new budget proposal.
agent	countable	A person who acts on behalf of another person or group.	My real estate agent helped me find the perfect downtown apartment.
aggression	uncountable	Hostile or violent behavior or attitudes toward another.	The coach told the players to channel their aggression into the game.
agreement	both	A negotiated and typically legally binding arrangement between parties.	Both sides have finally signed the new peace agreement.
aid	both	Help, assistance, or support given to someone in need.	The organization provides humanitarian aid to countries affected by disaster.
aim	countable	A purpose or intention; a desired outcome.	The main aim of the project is to improve local air quality.
air	uncountable	The invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth, a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen.	Let’s go outside and get some fresh air after the storm.
aircraft	countable	An airplane, helicopter, or other machine capable of flight.	The military aircraft flew in a perfect formation over the city.
airline	countable	A company that provides regular services for transporting passengers or goods by air.	Which airline are you flying with for your trip to Spain?
airplane	countable	A powered flying vehicle with fixed wings.	We watched the large airplane take off from the runway.
airport	countable	A complex of runways and buildings for the takeoff and landing of aircraft.	We need to be at the airport two hours before our flight.
aisle	countable	A passage between rows of seats, shelves, or pews in a building.	The bride walked down the aisle with her proud father.
alarm	both	An anxious awareness of danger or a warning sound.	The smoke alarm went off in the middle of the night.
album	countable	A collection of recordings issued as a single item on CD or online.	The band’s new album will be released to the public next month.
alcohol	uncountable	A colorless volatile flammable liquid which is the intoxicating constituent of wine or beer.	Drinking alcohol is prohibited for anyone under the legal age limit.
alien	countable	A hypothetical or fictional being from another world.	The movie was about a friendly alien who crash-landed on Earth.
allegation	countable	A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong.	He has strongly denied the serious allegations made against him.
alley	countable	A narrow passageway between or behind buildings.	The children enjoy playing basketball in the back alley.
alliance	countable	A union or association formed for mutual benefit between groups or countries.	The two nations formed a strong military alliance for their defense.
alligator	countable	A large reptile with a broad snout, native to the Americas and China.	We saw a large alligator sunbathing on the riverbank in Florida.
allowance	countable	A sum of money paid regularly to a person, often a child.	My parents gave me a small weekly allowance for doing my chores.
alphabet	countable	A set of letters or symbols in a fixed order used to represent speech sounds.	The English alphabet has twenty-six letters from A to Z.
alternative	countable	One of two or more available possibilities.	If you don’t like this option, we can offer an alternative.
altitude	both	The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.	The pilot announced that we were flying at an altitude of 30,000 feet.
amateur	countable	A person who engages in a pursuit as a pastime rather than a profession.	The golf tournament is open to both professionals and talented amateurs.
ambassador	countable	An accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative.	She served as the U.S. ambassador to France for four years.
ambition	both	A strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination.	Her ambition is to become a successful and well-known neurosurgeon.
ambulance	countable	A vehicle specially equipped for taking sick or injured people to a hospital.	We called an ambulance immediately after the serious traffic accident.
amendment	countable	A minor change or addition designed to improve a text or piece of legislation.	The politicians voted on the proposed amendment to the constitution.
amount	countable	A quantity of something, especially the total of a thing in number or size.	A large amount of money was raised for the local charity.
amusement	uncountable	The state or experience of finding something funny.	His funny stories were a source of great amusement to everyone.
analogy	countable	A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation.	The teacher used an analogy to explain the complex scientific concept.
analysis	both	A detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.	The lab is conducting a chemical analysis of the water sample.
analyst	countable	A person who conducts analysis.	A financial analyst recommended buying shares in the technology company.
ancestor	countable	A person from whom one is descended, typically one more remote than a grandparent.	My ancestors came from a small village in the south of Italy.
anchor	countable	A heavy object attached to a cable to moor a ship to the sea bottom.	The captain ordered the crew to drop the anchor in the harbor.
angel	countable	A spiritual being believed to act as a messenger of God.	She has a collection of small glass angel figurines on her shelf.
anger	uncountable	A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.	He found it hard to control his anger after hearing the news.
angle	countable	The space between two intersecting lines or surfaces at or close to the point.	The object was a perfect square, with four right angles.
animal	countable	A living organism that feeds on organic matter.	The lion is often called the king of all the animals.
anniversary	countable	The date on which an event took place in a previous year.	We are celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary this coming weekend.
announcement	countable	A formal public statement about a fact, occurrence, or intention.	The CEO made an important announcement about the company’s future plans.
answer	countable	A thing said, written, or done to deal with a question or problem.	I still have not received an answer to my email from yesterday.
ant	countable	A small insect, typically living in a complex social colony.	A long line of ants marched across the kitchen floor.
anxiety	both	A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about an uncertain outcome.	He feels a great deal of anxiety before he takes an exam.
apartment	countable	A suite of rooms forming one residence, typically in a larger building.	She just moved into a new apartment in the city center.
apology	both	A regretful acknowledgment of an offense or failure.	He made a public apology for his rude comments on social media.
appeal	both	A serious or urgent request, typically to the public.	The charity made an appeal for donations to help the victims.
appearance	both	The way that someone or something looks.	She changed her appearance by cutting her hair and dyeing it red.
appetite	both	A natural desire to satisfy a bodily need, especially for food.	I always have a big appetite after I go for a long run.
appetizer	countable	A small dish of food served before the main part of a meal.	We ordered some delicious appetizers to share before our main courses.
applause	uncountable	Praise or approval expressed by clapping.	The audience broke into loud applause after the amazing performance.
apple	countable	A round fruit with firm, white flesh and a green or red skin.	An apple a day keeps the doctor away, according to the old saying.
application	countable	A formal request to an authority for something.	She submitted her application for the marketing manager position.
appointment	countable	An arrangement to meet someone at a particular time and place.	I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow morning at ten o’clock.
appreciation	uncountable	Recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something.	He showed his appreciation by sending them a thank-you card.
approach	countable	A way of dealing with a situation or problem.	We need to find a new approach to solve this difficult issue.
approval	uncountable	The belief that someone or something is good or acceptable.	The plan has finally received official approval from the city council.
architect	countable	A person who designs buildings and in many cases also supervises their construction.	The architect presented the final blueprints for the new museum.
architecture	uncountable	The art and practice of designing and constructing buildings.	I have always admired the beautiful modern architecture in this city.
area	countable	A region or part of a town, a country, or the world.	This is a quiet residential area with many parks and good schools.
argument	countable	An exchange of diverging or opposite views, typically a heated one.	They had a long argument about where to go for their vacation.
arm	countable	Each of the two upper limbs of the human body from the shoulder to the hand.	He broke his left arm while he was playing rugby last weekend.
armchair	countable	A large, comfortable chair with supports on either side for a person’s arms.	My grandfather loves to sit and read in his favorite armchair.
armor	uncountable	The metal coverings formerly worn to protect the body in battle.	The knight was protected by a heavy suit of shining metal armor.
army	countable	An organized military force equipped for fighting on land.	He decided to join the army after finishing his high school education.
arrangement	countable	A plan or preparation for a future event.	We have made an arrangement to meet for lunch next Tuesday.
arrest	both	The action of seizing someone to take them into custody.	The police made an arrest in connection with the bank robbery.
arrival	both	The action or process of arriving somewhere.	Her arrival at the party was a pleasant surprise for everyone.
art	both	The expression of human creative skill, typically in a visual form.	The museum has a famous collection of modern and contemporary art.
article	countable	A piece of writing included with others in a newspaper or magazine.	I read an interesting article about renewable energy sources this morning.
artist	countable	A person who creates paintings, sculptures, music, or other forms of art.	The local artist is known for her beautiful landscape paintings.
ash	uncountable	The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.	The house was completely destroyed, leaving only a pile of ash.
aspect	countable	A particular part or feature of something.	We must consider every aspect of the problem before we decide.
assault	both	A physical attack or a threat of one.	He was charged with assault after the fight outside the club.
assembly	both	A group of people gathered together in one place for a common purpose.	The school holds an assembly in the main hall every Friday morning.
assessment	both	The evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone.	The course requires the completion of two written essays for assessment.
asset	countable	A useful or valuable thing, person, or quality.	Her ability to speak Spanish is a real asset to the company.
assignment	countable	A task or piece of work allocated to someone as part of a job or course.	The teacher gave the students a difficult homework assignment.
assistance	uncountable	The action of helping someone with a job or task.	Thank you for your kind assistance with carrying all these boxes.
assistant	countable	A person who ranks below a senior person and helps them in their work.	The manager’s personal assistant helps to schedule all her meetings.
association	countable	A group of people organized for a joint purpose; a connection or link.	He is a member of the local historical preservation association.
assumption	countable	A thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.	We are working on the assumption that the project will be approved.
assurance	both	A positive declaration intended to give confidence; a promise.	He gave me his assurance that the package would arrive on time.
atmosphere	countable	The envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet.	The Earth’s atmosphere protects us from harmful solar radiation.
atom	countable	The basic unit of a chemical element.	A water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
attachment	countable	An extra part or extension that is or can be attached to something.	The vacuum cleaner comes with several different attachments for cleaning.
attack	countable	An aggressive and violent action against a person or place.	The army launched a surprise attack on the enemy’s main base.
attempt	countable	An effort to achieve or complete a difficult task or action.	She made a brave attempt to rescue the cat from the tree.
attendance	both	The action or state of going regularly to or being present at a place.	Attendance at all of the lectures is mandatory for this course.
attention	uncountable	Notice taken of someone or something; the regarding of someone as interesting.	Please pay close attention to the instructions I am about to give.
attitude	both	A settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something.	He has a very positive attitude toward his work and his colleagues.
attic	countable	A space or room just below the roof of a house.	We store our old family photographs and holiday decorations in the attic.
attraction	both	The action or power of evoking interest, pleasure, or liking for someone.	The main attraction of the city is its beautiful medieval castle.
audience	countable	The assembled spectators or listeners at a public event, such as a play or concert.	The audience clapped enthusiastically at the end of the concert.
author	countable	A writer of a book, article, or report.	J.K. Rowling is the famous author of the Harry Potter book series.
authority	both	The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.	Only the manager has the authority to approve this large expenditure.
automobile	countable	A road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine.	The first successful gasoline-powered automobile was invented in 1886.
autumn	both	The season after summer and before winter.	The leaves on the trees turn beautiful shades of red in the autumn.
avenue	countable	A broad road in a town or city, typically having trees at regular intervals.	Fifth Avenue in New York is famous for its expensive and luxury shops.
average	countable	A number expressing the central or typical value in a set of data.	The average of four, six, and eight is six.
award	countable	A prize or other mark of recognition given in honor of an achievement.	She won the award for best actress for her role in the film.
awareness	uncountable	Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.	The campaign aims to raise public awareness of environmental issues.
awe	uncountable	A feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.	The tourists stood in awe as they looked at the Grand Canyon.
axis	countable	An imaginary line about which a body rotates.	The Earth rotates on its axis once every twenty-four hours.

Descriptions

ability

Often used with prepositions ‘to’ (ability to do) or ‘for’ (ability for something).

absence

The opposite of presence, it can refer to a lack of something or someone.

abuse

Can also refer to the improper use of something, like substance abuse.

accent

Accents relate to pronunciation, while dialects also include different vocabulary and grammar.

acceptance

This term is also crucial in psychology, meaning to embrace a situation without changing it.

access

In computing, it refers to permission to use data or a system.

accident

The common phrase ‘by accident’ means something was not done on purpose or intentionally.

account

It also commonly refers to a record of financial transactions, like a bank account.

achievement

It can be a countable specific success or an uncountable general concept of success.

acid

In chemistry, an acid has a pH less than 7.

acquaintance

It describes a level of relationship less intimate than a friend but more than a stranger.

action

In film, an ‘action’ movie is a genre characterized by exciting physical feats.

activity

It can refer to a specific recreational pursuit or a general state of busyness.

actor

The gender-neutral term is ‘actor’, though ‘actress’ is still sometimes used for females.

addiction

While often associated with drugs, people can be addicted to activities like gaming.

address

It can also refer to a formal speech delivered to an audience.

adjustment

In life, it often means the process of adapting to a new situation.

administration

It can refer to a specific group of people in charge or the act of managing.

admiration

It’s a feeling of deep respect, often for someone’s qualities or achievements.

adult

Legally, the age of adulthood varies by country, but it’s often 18 years.

advantage

The opposite, disadvantage, refers to an unfavorable condition that reduces success.

adventure

It can be a specific journey or the general spirit of seeking new experiences.

Often shortened to ‘ad’ or ‘advert’, they are a key part of modern marketing.

advice

This is a classic uncountable noun; to count it, use ‘a piece of advice’.

affair

It can also refer to a secret romantic relationship or matters of public interest.

afternoon

It is the period between midday and the setting of the sun.

age

It can also refer to a distinct period in history, such as the Stone Age.

agency

Government agencies are departments responsible for specific areas like health or environment.

agenda

Figuratively, a ‘hidden agenda’ is a secret motive for doing something.

agent

An agent can be a representative, a spy, or a substance that causes a reaction.

aggression

In international relations, it can refer to an unprovoked attack by one country.

agreement

It can also mean harmony in opinion, or the same thing as consensus.

aid

First aid is the immediate assistance given to a sick or injured person.

aim

It can also refer to the action of pointing a weapon or camera at a target.

air

While usually uncountable, you can say someone has ‘an air of confidence’.

aircraft

This word is unusual as its plural form is also ‘aircraft’, not ‘aircrafts’.

airline

Major airlines operate fleets of aircraft and serve destinations around the world.

airplane

Also known as a plane, it is one of the fastest modes of modern transportation.

airport

International airports handle flights from all over the world, with customs and immigration.

aisle

You’ll find the pasta in aisle four of the grocery store.

alarm

It can be a device or the feeling of fear it is designed to cause.

album

It can also refer to a blank book for inserting photos or stamps.

alcohol

In chemistry, it refers to a larger class of organic compounds.

alien

In a legal context, it can refer to a foreigner who is not a citizen.

allegation

An allegation is a claim that has not yet been proven in a court of law.

alley

A bowling alley is a building that contains lanes for the game of bowling.

alliance

Alliances can be formal, like in politics, or informal, like among friends.

alligator

Alligators are often confused with crocodiles, which typically have a longer, V-shaped snout.

allowance

It can also mean an amount of something that is permitted, like a luggage allowance.

alphabet

The word itself comes from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet, alpha and beta.

alternative

It is often used to describe things outside the mainstream, like alternative music.

altitude

High altitude can cause sickness due to the lower amount of available oxygen.

amateur

The word comes from the Latin ‘amator’, meaning ‘lover’, implying one who does it for love.

ambassador

An ambassador is their country’s highest-ranking representative in another nation.

ambition

It can be a positive trait, but ‘blind ambition’ suggests a reckless desire for success.

ambulance

The word ‘ambulance’ is often written in reverse on the front so it’s readable in mirrors.

amendment

It is a formal change made to a law, contract, or other legal document.

amount

It is typically used with uncountable nouns, like ‘an amount of water’.

amusement

An amusement park is a large outdoor area with rides and other entertainments.

analogy

A good analogy can make a difficult idea much easier for people to understand.

analysis

The plural form is ‘analyses’, following its Greek origin.

analyst

Analysts are experts who study information carefully to provide insights and advice.

ancestor

In biology, it refers to an earlier type of animal or plant from which others evolved.

anchor

Figuratively, an anchor is a person or thing providing stability or confidence.

angel

In finance, an ‘angel investor’ is someone who provides capital for a startup.

anger

While a powerful emotion, it can be managed through various coping techniques.

angle

It can also mean a particular way of approaching a problem or a point of view.

animal

Humans are also classified as animals in the field of biology.

anniversary

It marks a yearly recurrence of a past event, such as a wedding or a founding.

announcement

Announcements can be spoken or written and are meant to inform a group of people.

answer

There isn’t always a simple or easy answer to every difficult question.

ant

Ants are known for their ability to carry objects much heavier than themselves.

anxiety

It is a normal human emotion but can become a medical disorder when excessive.

apartment

In British English, the more common term for this is ‘flat’.

apology

It can be a specific countable act or an uncountable concept of being sorry.

appeal

In law, it’s an application to a higher court for a reversal of a decision.

appearance

It can also mean the act of arriving or becoming visible, like a ‘guest appearance’.

appetite

It can also refer to a strong desire for something, like an ‘appetite for adventure’.

appetizer

It’s meant to stimulate the appetite, not to be a full meal itself.

applause

A ’round of applause’ is a common phrase used to request this action.

apple

With over 7,500 varieties, it is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits.

application

It also refers to a program or piece of software, commonly shortened to ‘app’.

appointment

It also refers to the act of assigning a job or position to someone.

appreciation

It can also mean an increase in the value of something, like property.

approach

It can also mean the act of coming near to someone or something in distance.

approval

It is the action of officially agreeing to or accepting something as satisfactory.

architect

The role combines both artistic vision and precise technical knowledge.

architecture

It can also refer to the complex or carefully designed structure of something.

area

In mathematics, it’s the extent of a two-dimensional surface.

argument

In logic, it is a set of reasons given in support of an idea or theory.

arm

It can also refer to a side part of a chair or a branch of an organization.

armchair

An ‘armchair critic’ is someone who offers advice without having direct experience.

armor

Modern armor includes materials like Kevlar used in bulletproof vests.

army

A large group of people or things can be figuratively called an ‘army’.

arrangement

It can also refer to the way things are placed, like a flower arrangement.

arrest

It can be the countable act or the uncountable state of being ‘under arrest’.

arrival

The arrivals area at an airport is where passengers exit after their flight.

art

It can be uncountable (art in general) or countable (a work of art).

article

In grammar, ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’ are known as articles.

artist

The term can be used broadly to include musicians, writers, and performers.

ash

The plural form ‘ashes’ is often used to refer to human remains after cremation.

aspect

It refers to one of the different parts of a situation, idea, or problem.

assault

It can be a specific countable act or the general uncountable crime.

assembly

It can also refer to the action of fitting together parts to make something.

assessment

It is the process of making a judgment about something or someone.

asset

In finance, an asset is property owned by a person or company with economic value.

assignment

It is a duty that you are given to do, especially in your job.

assistance

Financial assistance is money provided to help people or organizations.

assistant

It is a common job title across many different industries and fields.

association

It also refers to a mental connection between ideas, feelings, or things.

assumption

It is important to check your assumptions before making a final decision.

assurance

Life assurance is a type of insurance, also known as life insurance.

atmosphere

It also refers to the pervading tone or mood of a place, person, or work of art.

atom

Atoms were once thought to be the smallest possible particles, but they are made of smaller parts.

attachment

In email, it is a computer file sent along with the main message.

attack

It can also refer to a sudden occurrence of an illness, like a heart attack.

attempt

You may not always succeed, but it is important to make an attempt.

attendance

It can also refer to the number of people present at a particular event.

attention

In the military, ‘attention!’ is a command to stand straight and be alert.

attitude

It can be a general way of feeling (uncountable) or a specific one (countable).

attic

Attics are often used for storage but can also be converted into living spaces.

attraction

It can also refer to the physical force that draws objects together, like magnetism.

audience

The word can be used with a singular or plural verb depending on the context.

author

The author is the person who originates or gives existence to something.

authority

‘An authority’ on a subject is a person with expert knowledge.

automobile

This is a more formal word for what is commonly called a ‘car’.

autumn

In North American English, this season is more commonly referred to as ‘fall’.

avenue

It can also mean a way of approaching a problem or making progress.

average

It can also describe a standard or level that is considered to be typical or usual.

award

An award is given to recognize excellence in a certain field.

awareness

It is the state of having knowledge or being conscious of events or facts.

awe

It is a powerful emotion in response to something vast, sublime, or sacred.

axis

The plural form is ‘axes’, and it’s also used in mathematics for graph coordinates.

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A To Z Dex

The Complete List of Nouns That Start With A

Nouns that start with A

Descriptions

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The Complete List of Nouns That Start With A

Nouns that start with A

Descriptions

Browse Other Letters

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