The Complete List of Verbs That Start With A

This list brings together 100 verbs that start with the letter A, running from “Abandon” all the way to “Avoid.” You’ll find everyday words like “ask” and “add” sitting alongside more formal ones like “ascertain” and “articulate,” covering everything from simple daily actions to legal, medical, and business terms. Whether you’re building vocabulary, studying grammar, or just curious about the language, this collection shows how varied and useful A-verbs can be.

Verbs are the words that show action, occurrence, or state of being in a sentence, and they change form depending on tense, subject, and context. Many English verbs, like “abdicate,” even carry historical weight tied to real events, such as King Edward VIII’s abdication of the British throne in 1936. Learning how a verb shifts across past and present forms helps you use it correctly in speech and writing.

Below you’ll find the table with Word, Tense Forms, Definition, Example Usage, and Description.

Word: the verb itself in its base form, listed alphabetically so you can quickly scan or search for the one you need.

Tense Forms: shows you how the verb changes in the past and past participle, helping you use it correctly in different sentences.

Definition: a short, clear explanation of what the verb means, so you know exactly how and when to use it.

Example Usage: a real sentence showing the verb in action, giving you a natural sense of its context and tone.

Description: extra detail on how the verb is typically used, including common settings or related meanings you should know.

Verbs

Word	Tense Forms	Definition	Example Usage
Abandon	Past: abandoned, Past Participle: abandoned	To leave something or someone completely and finally	She abandoned the car on the roadside.
Abate	Past: abated, Past Participle: abated	To become less intense or severe	The storm finally began to abate.
Abbreviate	Past: abbreviated, Past Participle: abbreviated	To shorten a word or phrase	“Doctor” is often abbreviated to “Dr.”
Abdicate	Past: abdicated, Past Participle: abdicated	To give up a position of power, especially a throne	The king abdicated the throne in 1936.
Abduct	Past: abducted, Past Participle: abducted	To take someone away illegally by force	The suspect was accused of trying to abduct a child.
Abhor	Past: abhorred, Past Participle: abhorred	To hate something intensely	She abhors dishonesty in any form.
Abide	Past: abided, Past Participle: abided	To accept or act in accordance with a rule	You must abide by the rules.
Abolish	Past: abolished, Past Participle: abolished	To officially end a law, system, or practice	Slavery was abolished in the 19th century.
Abort	Past: aborted, Past Participle: aborted	To stop an action or process before completion	They had to abort the mission.
Abound	Past: abounded, Past Participle: abounded	To exist in large numbers	Wildlife abounds in the national park.
Absolve	Past: absolved, Past Participle: absolved	To free someone from blame or guilt	The court absolved him of any wrongdoing.
Absorb	Past: absorbed, Past Participle: absorbed	To take in a substance or information	The sponge absorbed the water.
Abstain	Past: abstained, Past Participle: abstained	To choose not to do something, especially voting	He abstained from voting on the bill.
Accelerate	Past: accelerated, Past Participle: accelerated	To increase in speed	The car accelerated down the highway.
Accept	Past: accepted, Past Participle: accepted	To agree to receive or take something	She accepted the job offer.
Access	Past: accessed, Past Participle: accessed	To obtain or retrieve something, especially data	You can access the file online.
Acclaim	Past: acclaimed, Past Participle: acclaimed	To praise enthusiastically and publicly	Critics acclaimed the film.
Accommodate	Past: accommodated, Past Participle: accommodated	To provide lodging or fulfill needs	The hotel can accommodate 200 guests.
Accompany	Past: accompanied, Past Participle: accompanied	To go somewhere with someone	He accompanied her to the airport.
Accomplish	Past: accomplished, Past Participle: accomplished	To successfully complete a task	They accomplished their goal.
Accumulate	Past: accumulated, Past Participle: accumulated	To gather or collect over time	Dust accumulated on the shelf.
Accuse	Past: accused, Past Participle: accused	To claim that someone has done something wrong	They accused him of theft.
Achieve	Past: achieved, Past Participle: achieved	To successfully reach a goal	She achieved her dream of becoming a doctor.
Acknowledge	Past: acknowledged, Past Participle: acknowledged	To accept or admit the existence of something	He acknowledged his mistake.
Acquire	Past: acquired, Past Participle: acquired	To gain possession of something	The company acquired a smaller rival.
Act	Past: acted, Past Participle: acted	To behave in a certain way or perform in a play	She acted quickly in the emergency.
Activate	Past: activated, Past Participle: activated	To make something start working	Press the button to activate the alarm.
Adapt	Past: adapted, Past Participle: adapted	To adjust to new conditions	Animals adapt to their environment.
Add	Past: added, Past Participle: added	To combine numbers or include something extra	Add two cups of flour.
Address	Past: addressed, Past Participle: addressed	To deal with an issue or speak to someone	The mayor addressed the crowd.
Adjourn	Past: adjourned, Past Participle: adjourned	To suspend a meeting until a later time	The court adjourned until Monday.
Adjust	Past: adjusted, Past Participle: adjusted	To alter something slightly for accuracy or comfort	He adjusted the thermostat.
Administer	Past: administered, Past Participle: administered	To manage or give something officially	The nurse administered the vaccine.
Admire	Past: admired, Past Participle: admired	To regard someone or something with respect	I admire her dedication.
Admit	Past: admitted, Past Participle: admitted	To confess something or allow entry	He admitted his fault.
Adopt	Past: adopted, Past Participle: adopted	To legally take a child as one’s own, or take up an idea	They adopted a baby girl.
Adore	Past: adored, Past Participle: adored	To love and admire deeply	She adores her grandchildren.
Advance	Past: advanced, Past Participle: advanced	To move forward or make progress	Troops advanced toward the border.
Advertise	Past: advertised, Past Participle: advertised	To promote a product or service publicly	The company advertised its new phone.
Advise	Past: advised, Past Participle: advised	To give recommendations or guidance	The doctor advised rest.
Advocate	Past: advocated, Past Participle: advocated	To publicly support a cause	She advocates for animal rights.
Affect	Past: affected, Past Participle: affected	To influence or produce a change in something	The weather affected the game.
Afford	Past: afforded, Past Participle: afforded	To have enough money or resources for something	They can’t afford a new car.
Agree	Past: agreed, Past Participle: agreed	To have the same opinion or consent to something	We agreed on the price.
Aid	Past: aided, Past Participle: aided	To help or assist someone	Volunteers aided the flood victims.
Aim	Past: aimed, Past Participle: aimed	To point something at a target or intend a goal	He aimed the arrow at the target.
Alarm	Past: alarmed, Past Participle: alarmed	To frighten someone or warn of danger	The news alarmed the public.
Alert	Past: alerted, Past Participle: alerted	To warn someone of a danger or problem	She alerted the authorities.
Align	Past: aligned, Past Participle: aligned	To arrange in a straight line or bring into agreement	The wheels need to be aligned.
Allocate	Past: allocated, Past Participle: allocated	To distribute resources for a specific purpose	Funds were allocated for education.
Allow	Past: allowed, Past Participle: allowed	To give permission for something	Parents allowed the trip.
Alter	Past: altered, Past Participle: altered	To change something, often slightly	She altered the dress to fit.
Amaze	Past: amazed, Past Participle: amazed	To surprise someone greatly with wonder	The magic trick amazed the audience.
Amend	Past: amended, Past Participle: amended	To make minor changes, especially to a law	Congress amended the bill.
Amuse	Past: amused, Past Participle: amused	To entertain or cause laughter	The clown amused the children.
Analyze	Past: analyzed, Past Participle: analyzed	To examine something in detail	Scientists analyzed the sample.
Announce	Past: announced, Past Participle: announced	To make a public statement	They announced their engagement.
Annoy	Past: annoyed, Past Participle: annoyed	To irritate or bother someone	The noise annoyed the neighbors.
Answer	Past: answered, Past Participle: answered	To respond to a question or call	She answered the phone.
Anticipate	Past: anticipated, Past Participle: anticipated	To expect or predict something	We anticipate a busy weekend.
Apologize	Past: apologized, Past Participle: apologized	To express regret for a mistake	He apologized for being late.
Appeal	Past: appealed, Past Participle: appealed	To make a serious request, or to be attractive	She appealed the court’s decision.
Appear	Past: appeared, Past Participle: appeared	To become visible or seem to be	A rainbow appeared after the rain.
Applaud	Past: applauded, Past Participle: applauded	To clap hands in approval	The audience applauded loudly.
Apply	Past: applied, Past Participle: applied	To formally request something, or put into use	She applied for the job.
Appoint	Past: appointed, Past Participle: appointed	To officially choose someone for a job	He was appointed CEO.
Appreciate	Past: appreciated, Past Participle: appreciated	To value or be grateful for something	I appreciate your help.
Approach	Past: approached, Past Participle: approached	To come near something or address an issue	The deadline is approaching.
Approve	Past: approved, Past Participle: approved	To officially agree to or accept something	The board approved the budget.
Argue	Past: argued, Past Participle: argued	To disagree verbally or give reasons for a claim	They argued about money.
Arise	Past: arose, Past Participle: arisen	To come into existence or get up	A problem has arisen.
Arm	Past: armed, Past Participle: armed	To equip with weapons	The soldiers were armed with rifles.
Arouse	Past: aroused, Past Participle: aroused	To awaken a feeling or interest	The story aroused suspicion.
Arrange	Past: arranged, Past Participle: arranged	To organize or put in order	She arranged the flowers.
Arrest	Past: arrested, Past Participle: arrested	To take someone into legal custody	Police arrested the suspect.
Arrive	Past: arrived, Past Participle: arrived	To reach a destination	The train arrived on time.
Articulate	Past: articulated, Past Participle: articulated	To express an idea clearly	She articulated her concerns well.
Ascend	Past: ascended, Past Participle: ascended	To go up or climb	They ascended the mountain.
Ascertain	Past: ascertained, Past Participle: ascertained	To find out something for certain	Investigators ascertained the cause.
Ask	Past: asked, Past Participle: asked	To pose a question or make a request	She asked for directions.
Aspire	Past: aspired, Past Participle: aspired	To have a strong desire to achieve something	He aspires to be a pilot.
Assemble	Past: assembled, Past Participle: assembled	To gather people or put parts together	They assembled the furniture.
Assert	Past: asserted, Past Participle: asserted	To state something confidently	She asserted her opinion.
Assess	Past: assessed, Past Participle: assessed	To evaluate the nature or quality of something	Doctors assessed his condition.
Assign	Past: assigned, Past Participle: assigned	To give a task or role to someone	The teacher assigned homework.
Assist	Past: assisted, Past Participle: assisted	To help someone with a task	He assisted the elderly man.
Associate	Past: associated, Past Participle: associated	To connect in the mind, or spend time with someone	I associate this song with summer.
Assume	Past: assumed, Past Participle: assumed	To suppose something without proof	I assumed you knew already.
Assure	Past: assured, Past Participle: assured	To tell someone confidently that something is true	She assured him everything was fine.
Astonish	Past: astonished, Past Participle: astonished	To surprise someone greatly	The results astonished the researchers.
Attach	Past: attached, Past Participle: attached	To fasten or connect one thing to another	Please attach the file.
Attack	Past: attacked, Past Participle: attacked	To take aggressive action against someone	The team attacked from the left.
Attain	Past: attained, Past Participle: attained	To succeed in achieving something	She attained her degree in three years.
Attempt	Past: attempted, Past Participle: attempted	To try to do something	He attempted the difficult jump.
Attend	Past: attended, Past Participle: attended	To be present at an event	They attended the wedding.
Attract	Past: attracted, Past Participle: attracted	To draw attention or interest	The exhibit attracted many visitors.
Audit	Past: audited, Past Participle: audited	To officially examine financial records	The company was audited this year.
Authorize	Past: authorized, Past Participle: authorized	To give official permission for something	The manager authorized the payment.
Automate	Past: automated, Past Participle: automated	To make a process operate automatically	They automated the assembly line.
Avoid	Past: avoided, Past Participle: avoided	To stay away from something	She avoided the crowded street.

Descriptions

Abandon

To give up on or desert something, often suddenly and completely.

Abate

Used when something like pain, anger, or weather gradually weakens.

Abbreviate

Common in writing to save space using shorter forms of words.

Abdicate

Typically used when a monarch or leader formally steps down.

Abduct

A serious crime involving the forced removal of a person.

Abhor

Expresses strong moral disgust or hatred toward something.

Abide

Also used to mean “tolerate,” as in “can’t abide.”

Abolish

Often used for laws or institutions that are formally ended.

Abort

Common in technical, medical, and mission-related contexts.

Abound

Describes something existing in great, plentiful supply.

Absolve

Often used in legal or religious contexts to clear someone of fault.

Absorb

Used both physically, like liquid, and mentally, like knowledge.

Abstain

Common in elections and situations involving self-restraint.

Accelerate

Used for physical speed as well as figurative progress.

One of the most common verbs expressing agreement or receipt.

Access

Widely used in technology to describe reaching information or places.

Acclaim

Often used in passive form, as in “critically acclaimed.”

Accommodate

Also used to mean adapting to fit someone’s needs or requests.

Accompany

Also used musically, such as accompanying a singer on piano.

Accomplish

Implies achieving something meaningful through effort.

Accumulate

Used for the gradual buildup of objects, wealth, or knowledge.

Accuse

Common in legal disputes and everyday disagreements.

Achieve

Implies effort and success in reaching an intended result.

Acknowledge

Used to show recognition, admission, or gratitude.

Acquire

Common in business deals and personal skill development.

Act

Also used for performing roles in film, theater, or television.

Activate

Common in technology, biology, and mechanical contexts.

Adapt

Used for people, organisms, or systems adjusting to change.

Add

One of the most basic verbs used in math and cooking.

Address

Also used for writing or labeling a mailing address.

Adjourn

Common in legal proceedings and formal meeting settings.

Adjust

Used for fine-tuning settings, plans, or behavior.

Administer

Used in medical, legal, and organizational contexts alike.

Admire

Expresses positive regard, respect, or appreciation.

Admit

Also used for allowing someone or something into a place.

Adopt

Also used for adopting habits, policies, or pets.

Adore

Expresses strong affection, often toward people or things.

Advance

Also used for career, technological, or personal progress.

Advertise

Common in marketing, business, and media contexts.

Advise

Common in professional guidance and personal counsel.

Advocate

Often used with “for” to show public support for something.

Affect

Frequently confused with “effect,” which is usually a noun.

Afford

Also used figuratively, as in “can’t afford to fail.”

Agree

One of the most basic verbs expressing consensus.

Aid

Common in humanitarian, medical, and support contexts.

Aim

Also used figuratively to describe intentions or goals.

Alarm

Used for emotional fright as well as warning systems.

Alert

Common in safety, security, and emergency contexts.

Align

Also used figuratively for agreement between ideas or goals.

Allocate

Common in budgeting, planning, and resource management.

Allow

One of the most common verbs used to express permission.

Alter

Used for physical, legal, or abstract modifications.

Amaze

Expresses strong astonishment or delighted surprise.

Amend

Common in legal and formal document contexts.

Amuse

Used for light entertainment, humor, or fun.

Analyze

Common in research, science, and business decision-making.

Announce

Used for formal or public declarations of news.

Annoy

Expresses mild frustration or irritation with something.

Answer

One of the most basic verbs of everyday communication.

Anticipate

Implies preparing for something that is likely to happen.

Apologize

A common social verb used to repair relationships.

Appeal

Also used to mean “to be attractive to someone.”

Appear

Also used to mean “seem,” as in “she appears tired.”

Applaud

Also used figuratively to mean praising something.

Apply

Also used for applying cream, rules, effort, or pressure.

Appoint

Common in business, government, and organizational contexts.

Appreciate

Also used to mean an increase in value over time.

Approach

Also describes how one deals with or thinks about a problem.

Approve

Also used to mean having a favorable opinion of something.

Argue

Also used academically, as in “the essay argues that…”

Arise

A common irregular verb used for issues or opportunities emerging.

Arm

Also used figuratively, as in “armed with knowledge.”

Arouse

Used for emotions, curiosity, or physical response.

Arrange

Also used for planning events, meetings, or music.

Arrest

Also used to mean “stop,” as in “arrest development.”

Arrive

One of the most common verbs describing travel and timing.

Articulate

Also used to describe clear, distinct speech.

Ascend

Also used figuratively for rising in rank or status.

Ascertain

A formal verb used for confirming facts through inquiry.

Ask

One of the most fundamental verbs of communication.

Aspire

Expresses ambition and determination toward a future goal.

Assemble

Used for both physical construction and group gatherings.

Assert

Also used to mean confidently claiming a right.

Assess

Common in evaluation, grading, and diagnostic contexts.

Assign

Common in workplace and educational settings.

Assist

A slightly more formal synonym for “help.”

Associate

Also used for social connections and relationships with people.

Assume

Also used to mean “take on,” as in “assume responsibility.”

Assure

Used to give confidence to someone or remove their doubt.

Astonish

Similar to “amaze,” but often used in more formal writing.

Attach

Common in emails, documents, and physical connections.

Attack

Used in physical, verbal, and sports-related contexts.

Attain

A more formal synonym for “achieve” or “reach.”

Attempt

Common when describing an effort at something challenging.

Attend

Also used to mean “take care of,” as in “attend to a matter.”

Attract

Used for magnetism, interest, appeal, or charm.

Audit

Also used academically, as in “audit a class” without credit.

Authorize

Common in business, legal, and organizational approval processes.

Automate

Common in manufacturing, technology, and workflow contexts.

Avoid

One of the most common verbs describing evasion or caution.

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The Complete List of Verbs That Start With A

Verbs

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The Complete List of Verbs That Start With A

Verbs

Descriptions

Browse Other Letters

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