• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

awry adverb or adjective 1 : in a turned or twisted position or direction : ASKEW

2 : off the correct or expected course : AMISS

Synonyms

[1] askew, cockeyed, crooked, listing, lopsided, oblique, slantwise, uneven; also asymmetrical, unbalanced, unsymmetrical

Antonyms

even, level, straight

[2] afield, amiss, astray, wrong—more at WRONG

ax or axe noun : a chopping or cutting tool with an edged head fitted parallel to a handle

ax·i·al adjective 1 : of, relating to, or functioning as an axis

2 : situated around, in the direction of, on, or along an axis

— ax·i·al·ly adverb

ax·i·om noun [ORIGIN: L axioma, fr. Gk axiōma, lit., something worthy, fr. axioun to think worthy, fr. axios worth, worthy]

1 : a statement generally accepted as true : MAXIM

2 : a proposition regarded as a self-evident truth

— ax·i·om·at·ic adjective

— ax·i·om·at·i·cal·ly adverb

ax·is noun, plural ax·es 1 : a straight line around which a body rotates

2 : a straight line or structure with respect to which a body or figure is symmetrical

3 : one of the reference lines of a system of coordinates

4 : an alliance between major powers

ax·le noun : a shaft on which a wheel revolves

ayah noun [ORIGIN: Hindi & Urdu āyā, fr. Pg aia, fr. L avia grandmother]

: a nurse or maid native to India

aya·tol·lah noun [ORIGIN: Pers āyatollāh, lit., sign of God, fr. Ar aya sign, miracle + allāh God]

: an Islamic religious leader — used as a title of respect

1aye also ay adverb : for a limitless time : ALWAYS, EVER

2aye also ay adverb : YES — used as a function word to express assent or agreement

3aye also ay noun, plural ayes : an affirmative vote

AZ abbreviation Arizona

aza·lea noun : any of numerous rhododendrons with funnel-shaped blossoms and usu. deciduous leaves

az·i·do·thy·mi·dine noun : AZT

az·i·muth noun : horizontal direction expressed as an angular distance from a fixed point

AZT noun : an antiviral drug used to treat AIDS

Az·tec noun : a member of a Nahuatl-speaking people that founded the Mexican empire and were conquered by Hernan Cortes in 1519

— Az·tec·an adjective

azure noun : the blue of the clear sky

— azure adjective

B

1b noun, plural b's or bs often cap 1 : the 2d letter of the English alphabet

2 : a grade rating a student's work as good

2b abbreviation, often cap 1 bachelor

2 bass

3 bishop

4 book

5 born

B symbol boron

Ba symbol barium

BA abbreviation 1 bachelor of arts

2 batting average

bab·bitt noun : an alloy used for lining bearings; especially : one containing tin, copper, and antimony

1babble verb bab·bled; bab·bling 1 : to talk enthusiastically or excessively

2 : to utter meaningless sounds

Synonyms

[1, 2] chatter, drivel, gabble, gibber, jabber, prattle, sputter; also gab, jaw, patter, prate, rattle, run on

2babble noun 1 : foolish or idle talk

2 : continuous meaningless vocal sounds : a murmur or a continuity of confused sounds

Synonyms

gabble, gibberish, gobbledygook, hogwash, nonsense, piffle, prattle—more at GIBBERISH

bab·bler noun : one that babbles

babe noun 1 : an extremely young child : BABY

2 slang : GIRL, WOMAN

ba·bel noun, often cap [ORIGIN: fr. the Tower of Babel, Gen 11:4–9]

: a place or scene of noise and confusion; also : a confused sound

ba·boon noun [ORIGIN: ME babewin, fr. MF babouin, fr. baboue grimace]

: any of several large apes of Asia and Africa with doglike muzzles

ba·bush·ka noun [ORIGIN: Russ, grandmother, dim. of baba old woman]

: a kerchief for the head

Synonyms

bandanna, kerchief—more at BANDANNA

1baby noun, plural babies 1 : a very young child : INFANT

2 : the youngest or smallest of a group

3 : a childish person

— baby adjective

— ba·by·hood noun

Synonyms

child, infant, newborn; also cherub

2baby verb ba·bied; ba·by·ing : to tend or treat often with excessive care

Synonyms

coddle, mollycoddle, nurse, pamper, spoil; also cater (to), humor, indulge

Antonyms

abuse, ill-treat, ill-use,