English Dictionary

Definition of “a”

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Word Frequency

Word Frequency of a

a

Definitions

symbol for

  1. = acceleration

a or A (eɪ Pronunciation for )

Definitions

noun

Word forms:   plural a's, A's, As
  1. the first letter and first vowel of the modern English alphabet
  2. any of several speech sounds represented by this letter, in English as in take, bag, calm, shortage, or cobra
  3. Also called: alpha. the first in a series, esp the highest grade or mark, as in an examination

  4. See from A to Z

a1 (ə Pronunciation for a1 ; stressed or emphatic eɪ Pronunciation for a1 ) 

Definitions

determiner

  1. used preceding a singular countable noun, if the noun is not previously specified or known ⇒ a dog, a terrible disappointment
  2. used preceding a proper noun to indicate that a person or thing has some of the qualities of the one named ⇒ a Romeo, a Shylock
  3. used preceding a noun or determiner of quantity ⇒ a cupful, a dozen eggs, a great many, to read a lot
  4. used preceding a noun indicating a concrete or abstract thing capable of being divided ⇒ half a loaf, a quarter of a minute
  5. preceded by once, twice, several times, etc each or every; per ⇒ once a day, fifty pence a pound
  6. a certain; one ⇒ to change policy at a stroke, a Mr Jones called
  7. preceded by not any at all ⇒ not a hope

Compare

an1,

See

the1

a2 (ə Pronunciation for a2 ) 

Definitions

verb

  1. an informal or dialect word for have ⇒ they'd a said if they'd known

a3 (ə Pronunciation for a3 ) 

Definitions

preposition

  1. (usually linked to the preceding noun) an informal form of of ⇒ sorta sad, a kinda waste

a4

Definitions

symbol for

  1. acceleration
  2. are(s) (metric measure of land)
  3. atto-
  4. (chess) See algebraic notation

A

Definitions

symbol for

  1. (music)
    1. a note having a frequency of 440 hertz (A above middle C) or this value multiplied or divided by any power of 2; the sixth note of the scale of C major
    2. a key, string, or pipe producing this note
    3. the major or minor key having this note as its tonic
  2. a human blood type of the ABO group, containing the A antigen
  3. (in Britain) a major arterial road ⇒ the A3 runs from London to Portsmouth
  4. (formerly, in Britain)
    1. a film certified for viewing by anyone, but which contains material that some parents may not wish their children to see
    2. (as modifier) ⇒ an A film
  5. mass number
  6. the number 10 in hexadecimal notation
  7. (cards) ace
  8. (chemistry) argon (now superseded by Ar)
  9. ampere(s)
  10. Also: at. ampere-turn
  11. absolute (temperature)
  12. (in circuit diagrams) ammeter
  13. area
  14. in combination atomic ⇒ an A-bomb, an A-plant
  15. (chemistry) affinity
  16. (biochemistry) adenine
  17. (logic) a universal affirmative categorical proposition, such as all men are mortal: often symbolized as SaP Compare E, I2, O1
    1. a person whose job is in top management, or who holds a senior administrative or professional position
    2. (as modifier) ⇒ an A worker
      See also occupation groupings

abbreviation for

  1. Austria (international car registration)

Word Origin

from Latin a( ffirmo) I affirm

A5

Definitions

symbol for

  1. = affinity

Å

Definitions

symbol for

  1. angstrom unit

α (ˈælfə) 

Definitions

symbol for

  1. = absorptance

a-1 or before a vowel an-

Definitions

prefix

  1. not; without; opposite to ⇒ atonal, asocial

Word Origin

from Greek a-, an- not, without

a-2

Definitions

prefix

  1. on; in; towards ⇒ afoot, abed, aground, aback
  2. (literary (or archaic) used before a present participle in the act or process of ⇒ come a-running, go a-hunting
  3. in the condition or state of ⇒ afloat, alive, asleep

a' or aa or aw (ɔː Pronunciation for )

Definitions

determiner

  1. (Scottish) variants of all

A.

Definitions

abbreviation for

  1. acre(s) or acreage
  2. America(n)
  3. answer

an- or before a consonant a-

Definitions

prefix

  1. not; without ⇒ anaphrodisiac

Word Origin

from Greek

Translations for 'a'

  • British English: aPronunciation for a You use a or an before a noun when people may not know which person or thing you are talking about.A waiter came in with a glass of water.eɪ; ə DETERMINER
  • Arabic: اداة نكرة في الانجليزية ولا يعادلها شئ في العربيةPronunciation for اداة نكرة في الانجليزية ولا يعادلها شئ في العربية
  • Brazilian Portuguese: umPronunciation for um uma
  • Chinese: 一个Pronunciation for 一个
  • Croatian: jedanPronunciation for jedan
  • Czech: nějakýPronunciation for nějaký
  • Danish: en/etPronunciation for en/et et
  • Dutch: eenPronunciation for een
  • European Spanish: unPronunciation for un unaconsonante
  • Finnish: NO TRANSLATIONPronunciation for NO TRANSLATION
  • French: unPronunciation for un une
  • German: einPronunciation for ein eine
  • Greek: έναςPronunciation for ένας μία
  • Italian: un, unoPronunciation for un, uno una
  • Japanese: 一つのPronunciation for 一つの
  • Korean: 어떤 하나의Pronunciation for 어떤 하나의
  • Norwegian: enPronunciation for en et
  • Polish: rodzajnik nieokreślony, nie tłumaczy się na język polskiPronunciation for rodzajnik nieokreślony, nie tłumaczy się na język polski
  • Portuguese: umPronunciation for um uma
  • Romanian: un o, unii, unele, niște
  • Russian: (неопределенный артикль)Pronunciation for (неопределенный артикль)
  • Spanish: unPronunciation for un una
  • Swedish: enPronunciation for en ettobestämd artikel
  • Thai: หนึ่งPronunciation for หนึ่ง
  • Turkish: birPronunciation for bir
  • Ukrainian: неозначений артикль
  • Vietnamese: mộtPronunciation for một

Example Sentences Including 'a'

As well as the Wharf there is also a very good local Museum on Drake Road which is open from Easter to October.
Country Life (2004)
At the very least, it's diplomatic hypocrisy on a grand scale.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
Christian was walking very slowly and I had my hand under his armpit, as if he too were a patient.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
During the search Mr McGrath hid a file in a compartment of a photocopying machine.
Irish Times (2002)
For the most part the country generated a timeless certainty born from a sense of resolution.
James Cowan ABORIGINE DREAMING: Introduction to the Wisdom and Thought of the Aboriginal Traditions of Australia (2002)
From it each rill runs in a straight line, edged with ashlar stone framed by cool expanses of mown lawn.
Country Life (2004)
Having said that, there is a lot of good stuff in this genuinely radical report.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
He said he thought this new campaign for his reprieve was a total waste of time.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
He was gazing at the bench opposite us, which was next to a fountain that didn't work.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
His decision was not authorised by anyone in the company, the firm said in a statement issued by a public relations company.
Irish Times (2002)
Hundreds of miles of walks, cycle routes, pony treks, and canoeing on the river Tavey only a couple of miles away.
Country Life (2004)
Investments apart, however, living in such a wonderful area is worth paying a wee bit more for, many would argue.
Country Life (2004)
It is a field that offers the prospect of a bountiful harvest.
James Cowan ABORIGINE DREAMING: Introduction to the Wisdom and Thought of the Aboriginal Traditions of Australia (2002)
It seemed a pretty long way for Christian to commute every day.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
Mr Kennedy, a resident of the Isle of Man, is the proprietor of an amusement arcade on Westmoreland Street in Dublin.
Irish Times (2002)
PLANS to build a housing estate in a conservation area have provoked fury among residents.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
Rapid change was not a factor in the formation of the continent --- at least, not in the eyes of its first inhabitants.
James Cowan ABORIGINE DREAMING: Introduction to the Wisdom and Thought of the Aboriginal Traditions of Australia (2002)
She added:'This might all take 20 years but we are on the way to having a definitive answer.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
The Kirk has to adapt its core gospel message to address a new generation.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
The heavy centralisation which helped the Kirk do rather well in the'modern ' world is a liability in the post-modern situation.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
Then I had another idea: `Listen, I've got a tiny bit of dope on me, enough for a joint.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
Was I a relative or perhaps a close friend of Mr Tedeschi's, she asked me.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
With his lank, greasy hair, dirty jeans and John Lennon spectacles he looks like a seventies student.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)

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