alphabetical

American  

[al-fuh-bet-i-kuhl] / ˌæl fəˈbɛt ɪ kəl /

adjective

1. in the order of the letters of the alphabet.

   The list is in alphabetical arrangement.

2. alphabetic.

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alphabetical British  

/ ˌælfəˈbɛtɪkəl /

adjective

1. in the conventional order of the letters or symbols of an alphabet

2. of, characterized by, or expressed by an alphabet

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Other Word Forms

• alphabetically adverb
• nonalphabetical adjective
• nonalphabetically adverb
• prealphabetical adjective
• prealphabetically adverb
• unalphabetical adjective
• unalphabetically adverb

Etymology

Origin of alphabetical

First recorded in 1540–50; alphabet + -ical

Example Sentences

The 10 with the lowest trailing-year volatilities are listed in alphabetical order.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Micron’s point in stringing together this alphabetical atrocity is that the market for one of its most lucrative products could see 40% yearly growth through 2028, from $35 billion to $100 billion.

From Barron's • Jan. 2, 2026

Here are the 11 retailers, with Dollar Tree and Dollar General listed first, followed by the others in alphabetical order.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 5, 2025

Once a team has been drawn they will go into the first available group, adhering to the draw constraints, in alphabetical order.

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2025

Hungry Joe collected lists of fatal diseases and arranged them in alphabetical order so that he could put his finger without delay on any one he wanted to worry about.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller