a

²a

indefinite article \ə, (ˈ)ā, Canada ˈa\

Definition of A

1

—used as a function word before singular nouns when the referent is unspecified <a man overboard> and before number collectives and some numbers <a dozen>

2

: the same <birds of a feather> <swords all of a length>

3

a —used as a function word before a singular noun followed by a restrictive modifier <a man who was here yesterday> b : any <a man who is sick can't work> c —used as a function word before a mass noun to denote a particular type or instance <a bronze made in ancient times> d —used as a function word before a proper noun representing an example or type <the attractions of a Boston or a Cleveland> e —used as a function word before a proper noun to indicate limited knowledge about the referent <a Mr. Smith called to inquire about the job> f —used as a function word before a proper noun to distinguish the condition of the referent from a usual, former, or hypothetical condition <a triumphant Ms. Jones greeted her supporters>

4

—used as a function word with nouns to form adverbial phrases of quantity, amount, or degree <felt a bit tired>

Usage Discussion of A

In speech and writing a is used before a consonant sound <a door> <a human>. Before a vowel sound an is usual <an icicle> <an honor> but especially in speech a is used occasionally, more often in some dialects than in others <a apple> <a hour> <a obligation>. Before a consonant sound represented by a vowel letter a is usual <a one> <a union> but an also occurs though less frequently now than formerly <an unique> <such an one>. Before unstressed or weakly stressed syllables with initial h both a and an are used in writing <a historic> <an historic>. In the King James Version of the Old Testament and occasionally in writing and speech an is used before h in a stressed syllable <an huntress> <an hundred> <children are an heritage of the Lord — Psalms 127:3(Authorized Version)>.

Origin of A

Middle English, from Old English ān one — more at one

First Known Use: before 12th century