Definition and meaning of English word "a"
a
/ə/
Meaning
ArticleAn unspecified example of (something); the indefinite article.
How to use
The indefinite article 'a' is used to indicate a non-specific example of a noun, often used in casual or informal contexts. For instance, 'I'm reading a book' implies that the speaker is reading any book, not a specific one. However, in formal or technical writing, it's essential to avoid using 'a' before abstract nouns, as it can lead to ambiguity. For example, 'a theory' is more suitable than 'the theory' when referring to a general concept.
🇬🇧 English
a
Example
I have a book
A dog is happy
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- a book— an unspecified example of a book
- a person— an unspecified example of a person
- a thing— an unspecified example of a thing
- a place— an unspecified example of a place
- a time— an unspecified example of a time
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #16 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "a" mean?▼
The English word "a" means "a" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "a"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "a" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "a"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Indefinite article" (which translates as "a").
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