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Definition of alphabetize

alphabetize

/ˈælfəbəˌtaɪz/
(UK: alphabetise)
al · pha · bet · ize
Adverb:alphabetically
•
Adjective:alphabetical
•
Past Simple:alphabetized
•
Past Participle:alphabetized
•
Present Participle:alphabetizing
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alphabetize Lexical Profile

alphabetize Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To arrange words, names, or items in the conventional sequence of the letters of the alphabet.

Example

"The librarian asked the volunteers to alphabetize the returned books by the authors' last names."

2

To provide a spoken language with an alphabet or convert a non-alphabetic writing system into alphabetic characters.

Example

"Early linguists worked for years to alphabetize the unwritten dialect so that local folktales could be preserved in print."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for alphabetize
Antonyms
View all antonyms for alphabetize

• Nearby Words

alphabetical
alphabetically
alphabetization
alphabetize
alphabetizer
alphanumeric
alphanumerically

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 17th century from 'alphabet' (which derives from the Late Latin 'alphabetum' and the first two letters of the Greek alphabet, 'alpha' and 'beta') combined with the verbal suffix '-ize'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Alphabetize. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/alphabetize
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