| Word | Definition |
| Apothegm | a pithy, a short instructive saying: an aphorism |
| Apotheosis | an ideal example of something; an elevation to divine status : deification |
| Appall | to be overcome with shock or dismay |
| Apparition | a ghost; a phantom |
| Appease | to pacify; to soothe; to relieve |
| Appellation | a name; a title: a designation |
| Append | to attach |
| Application | the act of applying |
| Apposite | appropriate; apt; relevant <apposite remark> |
| Appraise | to estimate the value of |
| Appreciate | to be thankful for; to increase in value; to be aware of |
| Apprehend | to take into custody; to understand; to be fearful |
| Apprehensive | uneasy or fearful about something that might happen; perceptive; quick to learn or understand |
| Apprise | to inform |
| Approbation | an approval |
| Appropriate | to acquire; to take possession of |
| Appurtenance | subordinate possessions; a right or privilege |
| Apropos | (PREP) with reference to; regarding |
| Aptitude | capacity for learning; natural ability; aptness |
| Aquiline | curved down, like an eagle's beak (of the nose); hooked; resembling an eagle |
| Arable | fit for growing crops |
| Arbiter | a judge |
| Arbitrary | random; unreasonable |
| Arbitrate | to act as a judge |
| Arboretum | a place where trees are displayed and studied |
| Arcade | a series of arches; a covered passageway, usually lined with shops |
| Arcane | secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated <arcane rituals> |
| Archaeology | study of artifacts and relics of early mankind |
| Archaic | antiquated |
| Archetype | prototype (original model); primitive pattern |
| Archipelago | large group of islands |
| Archives | public records; place where public records are kept |
| Ardor | heat; passion; zeal |
| Arduous | hard; strenuous |
| Argot | secret language; slang <In the argot of the underworld, she "was taken for a ride."> |
| Aria | operatic solo |
| Arid | dry; barren |
| Aristocracy | hereditary nobility; privileged class |
| Armada | fleet of warships |
| Aromatic | fragrant |
| Arraign | to charge in court; to indict |
| Array | to marshal (usher); to draw up in order
to clothe; to adorn |
| Arrears | being in debt <He was in arrears with his payments on the car.> |
| Arrhythmic | lacking rhythm or regularity |
| Arrogance | offensive display of superiority: haughtiness; overbearing pride |
| Arroyo | a water-carved gully or channel |
| Arsenal | storage place for military equipment |
| Articulate | To speak clearly and distinctly |
| Artifact | object made by human beings |
| Artifice | a deceptive maneuver; trickery; cunning (inventiveness) |
| Artisan | a manually skilled worker |
| Artless | without guile; open or honest |
| Ascendancy | domination |
| Ascertain | to find out for certain |
| Ascetic | someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline; austere |
| Ascribe | to refer; to attribute; to assign |
| Aseptic | preventing infection; having a cleansing effect |
| Ashen | ash-colored; deadly pale |
| Asinine | stupid |
| Askance | (adv) with suspicion or disapproval <he looked askance at the offer>; with a side or oblique glance <look askance at> |
| Askew | crookedly; slanted; at an angle |
| Asperity | roughness of manner or temper <These remarks, spoken with asperity, stung the boys to whom they had been directed.> |
| Aspersion | false rumor, slander |
| Aspirant | one who aspires (n); Seeking recognition, distinction, or advancement (adj) |
| Aspire | to have a great ambition or ultimate goal; to desire |
| Assail | to assault |
| Assay | to examine; to analyze; to evaluate |
| Assent | to agree; to accept |
| Assert | to state strongly or positively; to insist on or demand recognition of (rights, claims) |
| Assessment | the act of assessing, appraising; evaluating |
| Assiduous | diligent (energetic effort) |
| Assimilate | to blend in; to absorb; to cause to become homogeneous |
| Assuage | to ease or lessen (pain); to satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger) |
| Assumption | something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of |
| Assurance | promise or pledge; guaranty; self-confidence |
| Asteroid | small planet |
| Astigmatism | eye defect that prevents proper focus |
