Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Arranged in order according to the alphabet: Describes a sequence, list, or arrangement that follows the standard order of letters (A, B, C, etc.).
   • Relating to or expressed by a writing system that uses an alphabet: Pertaining to a system of writing where symbols (letters) represent individual phonemes or sounds.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective (Arranged in order):

  • The entries in the index are in alphabetic order.
  • Please sort these files into alphabetic sequence by the customer's last name.

• Adjective (Relating to an alphabet):

  • English, Greek, and Cyrillic are alphabetic writing systems.
  • The transition from hieroglyphs to an alphabetic script was a major development.

Advanced Usage

• "alphabetic character": A single letter of an alphabet.

  • A password must contain at least one numeric and one alphabetic character.

• "non-alphabetic": Not using or related to an alphabet.

  • Chinese characters are a non-alphabetic writing system.

Variants and Related Words

• Alphabetical (adj): This is the more common variant and is fully interchangeable with "alphabetic" in most contexts, especially for the meaning "arranged in order."

  • The books are in alphabetical order by author.

• Alphabetically (adv): In an alphabetic manner.

  • The names are listed alphabetically.

• Alphabet (n): The set of letters used in a writing system.

  • The English alphabet has 26 letters.

Synonyms

• Abecedarian: (Formal) Arranged alphabetically.
• Sequential (by letter): Following the letter sequence.

Antonyms

• Non-alphabetic: Not based on an alphabet.
• Random: Without any order.
• Numerical: Ordered by numbers.

Adjective

1. arranged in order according to the alphabet
   • an alphabetic arrangement
   • dictionaries list words in alphabetical order
2. relating to or expressed by a writing system that uses an alphabet
   • alphabetical writing system