In this article, we’ll cover a variety of words that end with the suffix ‘-al’, explaining their meanings and uses in everyday language.
- Alabaster- A fine-grained, translucent form of gypsum, typically white, used for sculptures and vases.
- Alacrity- Brisk and cheerful readiness.
- Alameda- A public walkway lined with trees.
- Alamo- A historic mission in San Antonio, famous for the 1836 battle held there during the Texas Revolution.
- Alanine- An amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins.
- Alarm- A warning sound or device.
- Albacore- A type of tuna with light-colored flesh.
- Albatross- A large seabird associated with superstitions among sailors.
- Alchemy- A medieval chemical science aiming to convert base metals into gold.
- Alcove- A recessed section of a room or garden.
- Alder- A type of tree belonging to the birch family.
- Alehouse- A tavern where ale is sold.
- Alert- To warn someone of a situation, typically requiring caution.
- Alfalfa- A plant widely grown as fodder for cattle.
- Algebra- A branch of mathematics dealing with symbols and the rules for manipulating these symbols.
- Algorithm- A process or set of rules to be followed in calculations, especially by a computer.
- Alias- A false or assumed identity.
- Alibi- A defense claim that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a criminal act, took place.
- Alien- Belonging to a foreign country or nation.
- Alight- To descend from a vehicle or mount.
- Align- To place or arrange things in a straight line.
- Aliment- Food; nourishment.
- Alimony- A husband’s or wife’s court-ordered provision for a spouse after separation or divorce.
- Alkaline- Having a pH greater than 7.
- Allay- To diminish or put at rest (fear, suspicion, or worry).
- Allege- To claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong without proof.
- Allegory- A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning.
- Allergic- Having an allergy or increased sensitivity to a substance.
- Alleviate- To make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.
- Alley- A narrow passageway between or behind buildings.
- Alliance- A union or association formed for mutual benefit.
- Allocate- To distribute (resources or duties) for a specific purpose.
- Alloy- A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements.
- Allude- To suggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at.
- Allure- To powerfully attract or charm; tempt.
- Ally- A state formally cooperating with another for a military or other purposes.
- Almanac- An annual publication listing a set of events forthcoming in the next year.
- Almond- The edible nut of a small deciduous tree.
- Almost- Not quite; very nearly.
- Aloft- Up in the air; overhead.
- Alone- Having no one else present; on one’s own.
- Along- Moving in a constant direction on (a path or any more or less horizontal surface).
- Aloof- Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.
- Aloud- Audibly; not silently or in a whisper.
- Alpha- The first letter of the Greek alphabet, used to denote the first in a series.
- Alpine- Relating to high mountains.
- Already- Before or by now or the time in question.
- Alright- Nonstandard form of “all right.”
- Also- In addition; too.
- Altar- A table or flat-topped block used for religious rituals.
- Alter- To change or cause to change in character or composition.
- Alternate- Occurring or succeeding by turns.
- Altruism- The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
- Alum- A type of compound used mainly in dyeing and tanning.
- Alumni- Graduates or former students of a particular school, college, or university.
- Alveolar- Relating to the small air sacs in the lungs.
- Always- At all times; on all occasions.
- Amalgam- A mixture or blend.
- Amalgamate- To combine or unite to form one organization or structure.
- Amble- To walk at a slow, relaxed pace.
- Ambulance- A vehicle equipped for taking sick or injured people to and from the hospital.
- Ambush- A surprise attack by people lying in wait in a concealed position.
- Ameliorate- To make something bad or unsatisfactory better.
- Amenable- Open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled.
- Amend- To make minor changes to (a text, piece of legislation, etc.) in order to make it fairer or more accurate.
- Amenity- A desirable or useful feature or facility of a building or place.
- Amerce- Punish by imposing a fine.
- Amethyst- A precious stone consisting of a violet or purple variety of quartz.
- Amiable- Having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.
- Amicable- Characterized by friendliness and absence of discord.
- Amid- Surrounded by; in the middle of.
- Amino- Relating to or containing an amine group.
- Amish- Relating to a group of traditionalist Christian church fellowships with Swiss German Anabaptist origins.
- Amiss- Not quite right; inappropriate or out of place.
- Amitosis- The direct method of cell division, characterized by simple cleavage of the nucleus without the formation of chromosomes.
- Amnesty- An official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offenses.
- Amorphous- Without a clearly defined shape or form.
- Amount- A quantity of something.
- Ample- Enough or more than enough; plentiful.
- Amplify- To increase the volume of (sound), especially using an amplifier.
- Amputate- To cut off (a limb), typically by surgical operation.
- Amulet- An ornament or small piece of jewelry thought to give protection against evil, danger, or disease.
- Amuse- To cause to find something funny or to entertain.
- Analog- A person or thing seen as comparable to another.
- Analogy- A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
- Analyse/Analyze- Examine in detail the constitution or structure of something.
- Anarchy- A state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority.
- Anatomical- Relating to the bodily structure of organisms.
- Ancestor- A person from whom one is descended.
- Anchor- A heavy object attached to a rope or chain used to moor a vessel to the sea bottom.
- Ancient- Belonging to the very distant past.
- And- Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly.
- Anecdote- A short, amusing story about a real incident or person.
- Anemia- A condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or of hemoglobin in the blood.
- Aneurysm- An excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall.
- Angel- A spiritual being believed to act as an attendant or messenger of God.
- Anger- A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.
- Angle- The space (usually measured in degrees) between two intersecting lines or surfaces at or close to the point where they meet.
- Anglophile- A person who is fond of or greatly admires England or Britain.
- Anguish- Severe mental or physical pain or suffering.
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