Did you know?


a - definition and synonyms

What are red words?


Thesaurus diagram


determiner strong    a pronunciation in American English
// weak    a pronunciation in American English

or an strong    an pronunciation in American English
/æn/ weak    an pronunciation in American English

A or an is used as an indefinite article, usually followed by a singular countable noun.
A is used when the next word begins with a consonant.
When a word begins with the letter “u” that is pronounced /juː/, the word is treated as starting with a consonant: a university.
When a word begins with a silent “h,” it is treated as starting with a vowel: an hour.
The names of the letters f, h, l, m, n, r, s, and x begin with vowel sounds, so abbreviations that begin with one of these letters are treated as starting with a vowel: an X-rayan SUV.
  1. 1
    used when you are mentioning a person or a thing for the first time, or when the person listening to you does not already know about them

    I have an idea.

    There’s a concert on Sunday night.

    Synonyms and related words
  2. 2
    used when you mean any person or thing of a particular type, but you are not referring to a specific one

    I don’t have an umbrella.

    Children must be accompanied by an adult.

    Synonyms and related words
  3. 3
    used when you say what class, type, or group someone or something belongs to, or what job someone has

    He’s a liar and a cheat.

    Greece has been a republic since 1973.

    Ruth’s father was a lawyer.

    Synonyms and related words
  4. 4
    used before a singular noun that represents every person or thing of a particular type

    A molecule consists of two or more atoms.

    Synonyms and related words
  5. 5
    used when you are referring to a person or thing as one of several people or things of this type

    I want you to meet a friend of mine.

    He’s a member of the team.

    Synonyms and related words
  6. 6
    used in expressions of quantity such as “a lot,” “a few,” or “a great deal

    a lot of money

    a few friends

    Synonyms and related words
  7. 7
    used in numbers and measurements to mean “one,” as in “a thousand” or “an hour

    a hundred years ago

    a minute or two

    Synonyms and related words
  8. 8
    used in phrases showing how much something costs, how often it happens, how fast it goes, etc.

    Meetings are held four times a year.

    Peaches are 99 cents a pound (=each pound costs 99 cents).

    The car was traveling at 90 miles an hour.

    Synonyms and related words
  9. 9
    used before a noun that means a substance, product, food, etc. when referring to a particular type of it

    Brie is a soft creamy cheese.

    Plants won’t grow in a soil that contains too much lime.

    Synonyms and related words
  10. 10
    used before the name of some drinks to mean a cup or glass of that drink

    I’ll just have a beer, thanks.

    Would you like a cola?

    Synonyms and related words
  11. 11
    used before a noun that means a particular quality or feeling when the quality or feeling is described in some way

    Sales staff must have a good working knowledge of French.

    They fought back with a fierce determination that surprised the invaders.

    Synonyms and related words
  12. 12
    used before a noun that is formed from a verb and means a single action of that verb

    Can I have a try?

    Let’s take a walk around the garden.

    Synonyms and related words
  13. 13
    used before a noun that expresses your feelings about a situation

    It’s a relief to know they’re safe.

    What a shame he couldn’t be there to receive the prize!

    Synonyms and related words
  14. 14
    used before the name of a particular day, season, or holiday to mean one particular Tuesday, summer, Christmas, etc.

    It was a bitterly cold winter.

    She was born at six o’clock on a Sunday morning.

    Synonyms and related words
  15. 15
    used before a person’s name when you do not know anything about them

    There’s a Mr. Alex Murray asking to see you.

    Synonyms and related words
    1. a.
      used before the name of a famous artist to mean a picture by that artist

      The gallery has recently acquired a Picasso.

    2. b.
      used before a family name to mean a member of that family

      Remember you’re an Osborne – it’s a name to be proud of.

      Synonyms and related words
    3. c.
      used before the name of a famous person to mean someone else with similar abilities, a similar appearance, or a similar personality

      Already he is being hailed as a young Albert Einstein.

      Synonyms and related words
quiz invitation
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

gig economy


BuzzWord Article

Open Dictionary

fake news


add a word



global English and language change from our blog
Macmillan learn live love play