# alphabetism

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. An initialism: an abbreviation which is read letter by letter, such as UN.
2. The ability to read an alphabet, a rudimentary form of literacy.
3. Excessive reliance upon the alphabet or alphabetic structures.
4. Discrimination on the basis of the first letter of a name.

## Etymology
From alphabet + -ism.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/alphabetism