This list includes 90 adjectives that start with A, from “able” to “axiomatic”. It covers common and less-common descriptors useful for students, writers, and editors.
Adjectives that start with A are words that describe nouns and often signal qualities, states, or relationships. Many derive from Latin or Old English roots, and several are staples of everyday speech.
Below you’ll find the table with Adjective, Definition, Example, and Register.
Adjective: The single-word entry so you can see the exact spelling and pick the correct form quickly.
Definition: A concise one-line meaning that helps you understand the word and choose it appropriately in context.
Example: A short natural sentence showing typical use, so you can learn context and tone quickly.
Register: Notes whether the adjective is formal, informal, archaic, or colloquial, helping you match it to your audience.
Adjectives that start with A
| Adjective | Register | Definition | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| able | common | Having the skill or power to do something. | She is able to finish the project tonight. |
| absolute | common | Complete and without restriction or qualification. | He demanded absolute silence during the test. |
| abstract | formal | Existing in thought or idea rather than concrete form. | Her abstract theories challenged simple explanations. |
| abundant | common | Existing in large quantities; plentiful. | Wildflowers are abundant in spring here. |
| academic | formal | Relating to education, schools, or scholarship. | She pursued an academic career in literature. |
| acceptable | common | Meeting a required standard; satisfactory. | Your proposal is acceptable to the committee. |
| accessible | common | Easy to reach, enter, or understand. | The park is accessible by bus service. |
| accidental | common | Happening by chance, not planned. | The spill was purely accidental. |
| accurate | common | Correct and free from error. | Her measurements were accurate to the millimeter. |
| active | common | Engaging in action; energetic or functioning. | He leads an active lifestyle every weekend. |
| actual | common | Real or existing in fact rather than theory. | The actual cost surprised everyone. |
| acute | common | Sharp or severe in effect; intense. | She felt an acute pain in her knee. |
| adamant | common | Refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind. | He remained adamant about his decision. |
| adaptable | common | Able to adjust to new conditions easily. | Dogs are adaptable to different homes. |
| adaptive | formal | Showing capacity to change to fit conditions. | The software is adaptive to users’ needs. |
| adequate | common | Sufficient for a specific requirement; acceptable. | The supplies were adequate for a short trip. |
| adjacent | formal | Next to or adjoining something else. | The café is adjacent to the bookstore. |
| admirable | common | Deserving respect or approval. | Her charity work is truly admirable. |
| adorable | common | Delightfully charming or cute. | The puppy is absolutely adorable. |
| adventurous | common | Willing to take risks or try new things. | They had an adventurous trip across Asia. |
| adverse | formal | Preventing success or development; harmful. | They faced adverse weather conditions all week. |
| advisable | formal | Worth doing; recommended. | It’s advisable to back up your files daily. |
| afraid | common | Feeling fear or worry about something. | She was afraid of the dark alley. |
| ageless | common | Not showing the effects of aging. | Her style gives her an ageless appearance. |
| aggressive | common | Hostile, forceful, or energetically assertive. | The dog can be aggressive around strangers. |
| agile | common | Quick and well-coordinated in movement. | The gymnast is incredibly agile on beams. |
| agreeable | common | Pleasant or willing to consent. | They found the terms agreeable to both parties. |
| agricultural | formal | Relating to farming or cultivation. | They studied agricultural methods for soil health. |
| airtight | common | Completely sealed or logically indisputable. | The jar was airtight and stored well. |
| alert | common | Quick to notice and respond to danger or changes. | Stay alert while crossing the busy street. |
| alien | common | Foreign or unfamiliar in origin or nature. | The concept felt alien to local traditions. |
| alike | common | Similar to each other. | The twins look very much alike. |
| alive | common | Living; active and energetic. | The city feels alive at night. |
| allergic | common | Having an adverse reaction to a substance. | She is allergic to peanuts. |
| allusive | formal | Containing indirect references or hints. | His allusive style required background knowledge. |
| altruistic | formal | Selflessly concerned for others’ welfare. | She made an altruistic donation to the shelter. |
| ambiguous | common | Open to more than one interpretation. | The instructions were ambiguous and confusing. |
| ambitious | common | Having a strong desire for success or achievement. | He launched an ambitious plan for expansion. |
| ambivalent | formal | Having mixed or contradictory feelings about something. | She felt ambivalent about the job offer. |
| amiable | common | Friendly and pleasant in manner. | Her amiable nature made guests comfortable. |
| amicable | formal | Characterized by friendliness or goodwill. | They reached an amicable settlement quickly. |
| ample | common | More than enough in size or quantity. | There is ample parking near the venue. |
| analogous | formal | Comparable in certain respects, allowing comparison. | The two systems are analogous in design. |
| analytical | formal | Using logical reasoning or detailed examination. | She took an analytical approach to the data. |
| ancient | common | Very old; belonging to a distant past. | The town has ancient stone bridges. |
| angry | common | Feeling or showing strong annoyance or displeasure. | He was angry about the unfair decision. |
| anonymous | common | Not identified by name; unknown. | The donor wished to remain anonymous. |
| antagonistic | formal | Showing active opposition or hostility. | The teams were antagonistic during the debate. |
| antique | common | Old and often valuable because of age. | She collects antique furniture from the 1800s. |
| antiseptic | formal | Free from germs; sterile or clinical. | They used antiseptic technique in the lab. |
| anxious | common | Experiencing worry or eager anticipation. | She felt anxious before the interview. |
| apathetic | formal | Showing no interest or concern. | Voters seemed apathetic about the election. |
| apolitical | formal | Not related to or interested in politics. | He remained apolitical throughout his career. |
| apparent | common | Clearly visible or understood; seeming to be true. | It was apparent she had prepared well. |
| applicable | formal | Relevant or appropriate to a situation. | This rule is applicable to all members. |
| apposite | formal | Highly appropriate or well suited to the matter. | Her remark was apposite to the discussion. |
| approximate | formal | Close to the actual but not exact. | Give an approximate figure for the budget. |
| arbitrary | formal | Based on random choice or personal whim. | The decision felt arbitrary to the employees. |
| arch | formal | Playfully mischievous or slyly ironic. | He gave an arch smile at the joke. |
| archaic | common | Old-fashioned; no longer in everyday use. | They used archaic language in the ceremony. |
| ardent | formal | Very enthusiastic or passionate. | She is an ardent supporter of the club. |
| arduous | formal | Very difficult and requiring great effort. | Climbing the ridge was an arduous challenge. |
| arid | common | Very dry; lacking rain or interest. | The region has an arid climate year-round. |
| aromatic | common | Having a pleasant and distinctive smell. | The kitchen smelled of aromatic spices. |
| artful | formal | Cleverly or skillfully made, sometimes cunning. | Her artful argument persuaded the audience. |
| articulate | common | Able to speak clearly and effectively. | He is articulate in presenting his ideas. |
| artistic | common | Relating to art or showing creative skill. | She has an artistic eye for color. |
| artless | formal | Natural and without guile; simple and sincere. | His artless charm won people over. |
| artificial | common | Made or produced by humans instead of natural. | The flowers were beautiful but artificial. |
| assertive | common | Confidently self-assured without being aggressive. | Be assertive when stating your needs. |
| astute | common | Having sharp judgment; perceptive and clever. | An astute investor spots trends early. |
| athletic | common | Physically fit and strong; sporty. | She has an athletic build and stamina. |
| atomic | formal | Relating to atoms or nuclear processes. | They studied atomic structure in the lab. |
| atrocious | common | Extremely bad or unpleasant. | The weather conditions were atrocious yesterday. |
| attentive | common | Paying close attention or showing care. | Be attentive during the safety briefing. |
| attractive | common | Pleasing or appealing in appearance or nature. | The offer was attractive to many buyers. |
| audible | common | Able to be heard. | Her voice was barely audible in the hall. |
| auspicious | formal | Conducive to success; favorable. | The clear skies were an auspicious start. |
| austere | formal | Severe or strict in appearance or manner. | The monk’s room looked austere and simple. |
| authentic | common | Genuine; not false or copied. | The signature proved the painting authentic. |
| authoritative | formal | Commanding and reliable; backed by expertise. | She gave an authoritative account of events. |
| automatic | common | Working by itself; done without conscious thought. | The door opens with automatic sensors. |
| autonomous | formal | Acting independently or self-governing. | The team became autonomous in decision-making. |
| available | common | Ready for use or accessible. | The product will be available next week. |
| average | common | Typical or normal; midpoint measurement. | Her score was average for the class. |
| avid | common | Having a keen interest or enthusiasm. | He is an avid reader of science fiction. |
| awesome | colloquial | Extremely impressive; inspiring awe. | The performance was simply awesome. |
| awful | common | Very bad or unpleasant. | The service that night was awful. |
| awkward | common | Causing discomfort or clumsy in movement. | The silence felt awkward after the remark. |
| axiomatic | formal | Self-evident or unquestionable. | It seemed axiomatic that action was needed. |
Descriptions
able
General purpose adjective for capability; widely used in both spoken and written English.
absolute
Used for totality, certainty, or sovereignty; common in everyday and formal contexts.
abstract
Describes ideas, art, or reasoning that are conceptual and not tied to physical detail.
abundant
Used for plentiful amounts; common in descriptive writing about resources or nature.
academic
Used for schools, scholarship, theory; sometimes implies impracticality.
acceptable
Common in evaluations, policies, and everyday approval contexts.
accessible
Used for physical access and clarity of information.
accidental
Used to describe unplanned events or occurrences.
accurate
Describes precision in facts, data, or representation.
active
Used for people, processes, or states of operation.
actual
Contrasts reality with expectation or assumption.
acute
Used for sensations, problems, or angles; also for intelligence.
adamant
Conveys firm determination or unyielding stance.
adaptable
Useful for people, systems, or organisms that adjust well.
adaptive
Often used in biology, technology, and design contexts.
adequate
Neutral term for sufficiency without excellence.
adjacent
Used in spatial descriptions, maps, and formal writing.
admirable
Used to praise behavior, qualities, or achievements.
adorable
Colloquial, often used for people, animals, or things that inspire affection.
adventurous
Used for travel, experiences, or personality.
adverse
Common in formal contexts like reports, medicine, and law.
advisable
Used for recommendations, guidance, and practical advice.
afraid
Basic emotional descriptor, frequently used in everyday speech.
ageless
Used literally or figuratively to suggest timelessness.
aggressive
Used in behavior, marketing, or medical contexts.
agile
Describes physical nimbleness or quick mental responses.
agreeable
Polite, often used in social and business negotiations.
agricultural
Common in rural, scientific, and policy discussions.
airtight
Used for containers, arguments, or plans with no leaks/problems.
alert
Used for vigilance, warnings, and readiness.
alien
Used for foreignness, extraterrestrial contexts, or legal status.
alike
Used to express resemblance or similarity.
alive
Used literally for living beings or figuratively for vibrancy.
allergic
Common in medical contexts and everyday health discussions.
allusive
Used in literary criticism and sophisticated descriptions.
altruistic
Used to describe generous, other-focused motives.
ambiguous
Common in analysis, communication, and ambiguity discussions.
ambitious
Describes goals, projects, or personalities with drive.
ambivalent
Used in psychology, personal decisions, and critical writing.
amiable
Polite descriptor for friendly personality traits.
amicable
Often used for relations, negotiations, and legal outcomes.
ample
Positive descriptor for sufficiency and abundance.
analogous
Used in science, logic, and explanatory contexts.
analytical
Common in academic, scientific, and problem-solving contexts.
ancient
Used for historical periods, artifacts, or traditions.
angry
Basic emotional adjective used widely in speech and writing.
anonymous
Used in privacy, publishing, and legal contexts.
antagonistic
Used in social, literary, and political descriptions.
antique
Used for objects valued for age and rarity.
antiseptic
Also used figuratively for sterile or impersonal style.
anxious
Used for worry and anticipation in everyday contexts.
apathetic
Used in political, social, and psychological contexts.
apolitical
Used to describe neutral stance or independence from politics.
apparent
Used to indicate obviousness or seeming truth.
applicable
Used in law, policy, and instructions.
apposite
Literary/formal alternative to “appropriate.”
approximate
Common in estimates, science, and everyday use.
arbitrary
Used in critiques of rules, judgments, and randomness.
arch
Literary adjective for teasing or playful sarcasm.
archaic
Used in linguistics, literature, and historical descriptions.
ardent
Used for strong feelings, devotion, or activism.
arduous
Used for tasks, journeys, or processes requiring stamina.
arid
Used for climates, landscapes, or dull subjects.
aromatic
Used for scents, cooking, and perfumery.
artful
Can be positive (skillful) or imply sly manipulation.
articulate
Used for speech, writing, and clear expression.
artistic
Used for aesthetics, talents, and creative pursuits.
artless
Often used positively for innocence or negatively for lack of sophistication.
artificial
Used for man-made materials, substitutes, or insincerity.
assertive
Used in communication, leadership, and personal development.
astute
Used to praise intelligence in practical matters.
athletic
Used for sports, activities, or physique descriptions.
atomic
Common in science and energy discussions.
atrocious
Strong negative descriptor for quality or events.
attentive
Used for listening, service, or care contexts.
attractive
Used for looks, propositions, or qualities that draw interest.
audible
Used in sound contexts for perception or clarity.
auspicious
Used for signs, timing, or occasions believed lucky.
austere
Used in style, lifestyle, or management descriptions.
authentic
Used for originality, honesty, and verification.
authoritative
Used for sources, tone, or leadership with credibility.
automatic
Used for machines, processes, and reflexive behaviors.
autonomous
Used for machines, regions, or agents with independence.
available
Common for goods, people’s time, or resources.
average
Neutral descriptor for norms, statistics, or quality.
avid
Used for eager interest or strong liking.
awesome
Informal praise; very common in speech and social media.
awful
Strong negative descriptor, also used informally to intensify.
awkward
Used for social situations, movement, or design.
axiomatic
Used in logic, mathematics, and rhetorical statements.