This list includes 53 Simple words that start with A, from “a” to “ax”. These words are short, high-frequency, and common in speech and texts, useful for reading, teaching, and basic writing.
Simple words that start with A are everyday vocabulary items learners meet early and use often. For example, the article “a” ranks among the most-used English words, showing how tiny words shape communication.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Definition, Etymology, Part of speech, Frequency.
Word: The exact spelling of the entry; you use it for reading, spelling practice, and quick lookup.
Definition: A concise meaning in simple language so you can teach, learn, or use the word immediately.
Etymology: A brief origin note showing the word’s language background and how it entered English.
Part of speech: Labels such as noun, verb, or adjective so you know how the word functions in sentences.
Frequency: A simple indicator of commonness to help you pick words that appear often in speech and texts.
Simple words that start with A
| Word | Part of speech | Syllables | Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | article | 1 | Old English |
| able | adjective | 2 | Old English |
| about | preposition | 2 | Old English |
| above | preposition | 2 | Old English |
| across | preposition | 2 | Old English (a- + cross) |
| act | verb | 1 | Latin via Old French |
| add | verb | 1 | Old English |
| after | preposition | 2 | Old English |
| again | adverb | 2 | Old English |
| against | preposition | 2 | Old English |
| age | noun | 1 | Old French/Latin |
| ago | adverb | 2 | Old English |
| ahead | adverb | 2 | Old English |
| aim | verb | 1 | Old French |
| air | noun | 1 | Old English |
| aloud | adverb | 2 | Old English |
| also | adverb | 2 | Old English |
| always | adverb | 2 | Old English |
| am | verb | 1 | Old English |
| an | article | 1 | Old English |
| and | conjunction | 1 | Old English |
| angry | adjective | 2 | Old Norse/Old English |
| ankle | noun | 2 | Old English |
| another | determiner | 3 | Old English |
| answer | noun | 2 | Old English |
| any | determiner | 2 | Old English |
| anyone | pronoun | 3 | Old English |
| anything | pronoun | 3 | Old English |
| apart | adverb | 2 | Old French (a- + part) |
| apron | noun | 2 | Old French |
| apple | noun | 2 | Old English |
| area | noun | 3 | Latin |
| arm | noun | 1 | Old English |
| army | noun | 2 | Old French/Latin |
| around | preposition | 2 | Old English |
| arrive | verb | 2 | Old French/Latin |
| ask | verb | 1 | Old English |
| as | conjunction | 1 | Old English |
| at | preposition | 1 | Old English |
| away | adverb | 2 | Old English |
| awake | adjective | 2 | Old English |
| aware | adjective | 2 | Old English (a- + ware) |
| ax | noun | 1 | Old English |
| ache | noun | 1 | Old English |
| aid | noun | 1 | Old French/Latin |
| alphabet | noun | 3 | Greek/Latin |
| allow | verb | 2 | Old French |
| alone | adjective | 2 | Old English |
| along | preposition | 2 | Old English |
| already | adverb | 3 | Old English |
| almost | adverb | 2 | Old English |
| aunt | noun | 1 | Old French |
| autumn | noun | 2 | Latin via Old French |
Descriptions
a
Indefinite article used before nouns (“a cat”), common in speech and writing.
able
Having the skill, means, or permission to do something; “be able to” is a frequent phrase.
about
On the subject of or near in space/time (“talk about”, “about five o’clock”).
above
Higher than something; used for position or rank (“above the table”, “above average”).
across
From one side to the other or on the other side (“walk across”, “across town”).
act
To do something or perform; also used for plays (“act in a show”).
add
To put things together or include more (“add numbers”, “add sugar”).
after
Later in time or following in place (“after school”, “after the show”).
again
One more time; used for repetition (“try again”).
against
In opposition to or touching (“lean against”, “fight against”).
age
How old someone or something is; also a period of time (“age of six”, “stone age”).
ago
Used to say how far in the past something happened (“two days ago”).
ahead
In front or earlier than something; also “think ahead”.
aim
To point or direct toward a target; used literally and figuratively (“aim for success”).
air
The mixture of gases we breathe; also used for atmosphere or a feeling (“fresh air”).
aloud
Spoken so others can hear (“read aloud”).
also
In addition; used to add information (“I like cats; I also like dogs”).
always
At all times; every time (“always be careful”).
am
First-person singular form of “be”: “I am”.
an
Indefinite article used before vowel sounds (“an apple”).
and
Joins words or ideas (“bread and butter”).
angry
Feeling strong displeasure; common collocation “get angry”.
ankle
The joint between foot and leg; often used in phrases like “twist an ankle”.
another
One more or a different one (“another cup”, “another day”).
answer
A reply to a question; also a verb (“give an answer”, “answer the phone”).
any
One or some, often used in questions and negatives (“any help?”).
anyone
Any person; used in questions or statements (“Is anyone there?”).
anything
Any thing at all; used in questions and negatives (“I don’t want anything”).
apart
Separated by distance or difference (“put apart”, “grow apart”).
apron
A protective garment worn over clothes, often in cooking (“wear an apron”).
apple
Common fruit children know well; used in “an apple a day”.
area
A space or region, or measurement of surface (“play area”, “area of a circle”).
arm
Body part from shoulder to hand; also used for objects (“arm of a chair”).
army
A large organized group of soldiers; common word in basic vocabulary.
around
On every side, near, or approximately (“around the room”, “around five o’clock”).
arrive
To reach a place (“arrive at school”, “arrive on time”).
ask
To request information or help (“ask a question”, “ask for help”).
as
Used for comparison or reason (“as tall as”, “as I said”).
at
Shows place or time (“at home”, “at 3 o’clock”).
away
To or at a distance; gone from a place (“go away”, “be away”).
awake
Not sleeping; “wide awake” is a common phrase.
aware
Knowing about something (“be aware of the rules”).
ax
Tool with a blade used to chop wood; “use an ax”.
ache
A continual pain (“headache”, “stomach ache”).
aid
Help or support; used in “first aid” or “give aid”.
alphabet
Letters used for writing; basics taught to early readers.
allow
To permit or let happen (“allow someone to”, “not allowed”).
alone
By oneself; no other people present (“feel alone”).
along
Moving in a line or with something (“walk along the road”, “along with”).
already
By this time; earlier than expected (“already done”).
almost
Nearly but not completely (“almost finished”).
aunt
A parent’s sister or married sister-in-law; common family word.
autumn
The season between summer and winter; also called “fall” in some dialects.