a-to-z

IPA/ˌeɪ tə ˈzed/
IPA/ˌeɪ tə ˈziː/

a-to-z — noun

1. a printed or digital guide that shows a city's streets in detail so you can find

1.nounC1
Definition

a printed or digital guide that shows a city's streets in detail so you can find roads, areas, and addresses.

Example

Jack bought a London A-to-Z after his phone battery died on arrival.

a city + A-to-Z for finding streets

When the signal disappeared, Heather found the hotel in her old A-to-Z.

find a place in an A-to-Z

Common collocations
  • London A-to-Z
  • old A-to-Z
  • paper A-to-Z
  • look up an address in an A-to-Z
Synonyms
  • street atlas

    close in meaning, with stronger emphasis on mapped streets

  • city map book

    plain descriptive phrase for the same kind of guide

  • road guide

    broader and can cover routes beyond one city

Grammar Patterns

a/an + city + A-to-Z

find/look up + place + in an A-to-Z

Usage Note

Especially common in British English for street guides to a particular city. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is for roads and addresses, not for general information about a topic or place.

Common Mistakes

I checked the address in a travel handbook.
I checked the address in my A-to-Z.
this sense is specifically a street guide, not any kind of general travel book.

2. a printed or online guide that gathers the key facts a person needs on one topic

2.nounB2
Definition

a printed or online guide that gathers the key facts a person needs on one topic or one place into a single resource.

Example

Aylin read an A-to-Z of parenting before her first baby arrived.

an A-to-Z of + topic

Ravindra keeps an A-to-Z of local services beside the reception desk.

an A-to-Z of practical local information

Common collocations
  • an A-to-Z of parenting
  • an A-to-Z of local services
  • visitor A-to-Z
  • online A-to-Z
Synonyms
  • handbook

    common for a practical guide people keep and consult

  • guide

    broader and less likely to suggest full coverage

  • directory

    often emphasises listings or organised information

Grammar Patterns

an A-to-Z of + topic

an A-to-Z for + group/purpose

Usage Note

Often used in the pattern 'an A-to-Z of ...' for a subject with many practical details. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is a broad information guide, not a street map.

Common Mistakes

The one-page notice is an A-to-Z of the festival.
The full visitor guide is an A-to-Z of the festival.
this noun suggests wide, organised coverage, not a very short note.

a-to-z — idiom

Synonym discussion

Sense: idiom/1

'From A to Z' overlaps with several adverbs and phrases that express completeness, but it has its own flavour. 'Completely' is the broad everyday choice and simply says that nothing is left unfinished. 'Thoroughly' adds the idea of careful attention to detail, often for checking, cleaning, or learning. 'In full' is common when someone gives all the details of a report, payment, or statement. 'In every respect' sounds more formal and is often used when judging a person or situation from all sides. 'From A to Z' is especially vivid when talking about guides, explanations, or knowledge because it suggests moving across the whole range of a subject. You might study visa rules thoroughly, but a workshop explains them from A to Z.

completely ↗thoroughly ↗in full ↗in every respect

Etymology

English

This expression is built from the names of the first and last letters of the alphabet. By linking A and Z, English speakers show the idea of going from one end of a range to the other, so nothing is missing in between. That image first supported titles for directories and city guides that tried to cover everything a user might need. From there, A-to-Z also developed into an idiomatic way to say that a subject, task, or explanation is complete in all its parts.

First known use

1899

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1