Definition

1. Verb:
   • To arrange items in the order of the letters of the alphabet: To put words, names, or other items into a sequence based on the standard order of letters (A, B, C, etc.).
   • To provide with an alphabet: To represent a language using a specific set of letters or to devise a writing system based on an alphabet for a language.

Usage and Examples

• Arranging in alphabetical order:

  • Please alphabetize this list of customer names.
  • The librarian will alphabetize the new books by the author's last name.
  • I need to alphabetize my files for easier retrieval.

• Providing with an alphabet:

  • Linguists worked to alphabetize the previously unwritten language.
  • The missionary's goal was to alphabetize the local dialect.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The verb is often used in administrative, library, and data management contexts.
• The process of alphabetizing follows the specific rules of the language's alphabet, which may include handling spaces, hyphens, and diacritical marks.
• "Alphabetized" is the common past tense and past participle form.
  • The entries are already alphabetized.

Variants and Related Words

• Alphabetization (noun): The act or process of alphabetizing.
  • The alphabetization of the catalog took several days.
• Alphabetical (adjective): Arranged in the order of the alphabet.
  • The words are in alphabetical order.
• Alphabetizer (noun): A person or tool that alphabetizes.
  • She used a software alphabetizer to sort the list.

Synonyms

• Arrange alphabetically: To put in ABC order.
• Index: To arrange in a systematic list, often alphabetically.
• Sort: To arrange systematically, which can include alphabetizing.
• Systematize: To arrange according to a system, which may be alphabetical.

Antonyms

• Scramble: To mix or throw into disorder.
• Randomize: To arrange in a random, non-systematic order.
• Disarrange: To disturb the order of.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• In alphabetical order: The state of being arranged from A to Z.
  • The glossary is in alphabetical order.
• Alphabetical filing: A method of organizing documents by name using the alphabet.
• Cross-reference: A note directing a reader to another, alphabetized entry.

Verb

1. provide with an alphabet
   • Cyril and Method alphabetized the Slavic languages
2. arrange in alphabetical order
   • Alphabetize the list