an

indefinite article

Save Word

\ ən, (ˈ)an

Definition of an

(Entry 1 of 9)

: a entry 2 an opera an honor

preposition

\ ən, (ˌ)an

Definition of an (Entry 2 of 9)

: a entry 3 sense 2 sixty miles an hour

conjunction

variants: or an'

Definition of an (Entry 3 of 9)

1 \ see and \ : and

2 \ ˈan

\ archaic : if

abbreviation (1)

Definition of an (Entry 4 of 9)

year

an-

prefix

Definition of an- (Entry 5 of 9)

— see a- entry 2

-an

noun suffix (1)

variants: or -ian or less commonly -ean

Definition of -an (Entry 6 of 9)

1 : one that is of or relating to American

2 : one skilled in or specializing in phonetician

-an

adjective suffix

variants: or -ian or less commonly -ean

Definition of -an (Entry 7 of 9)

1 : of or belonging to American Floridian

2 : characteristic of : resembling Mozartean

-an

noun suffix (2)

Definition of -an (Entry 8 of 9)

1 : unsaturated organic compound furan

2 : anhydride of a carbohydrate dextran

abbreviation (2)

Definition of AN (Entry 9 of 9)

airman (Navy)

A vs. an: Usage Guide

Indefinite article

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 (King James Version)

History and Etymology for an

Indefinite article

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

Preposition

Middle English an, on, going back to Old English a-, an, on — more at on entry 1

Abbreviation (1)

Latin annum; annus

Noun suffix (1)

-an & -ian from Middle English -an, -ian, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French -ien, from Latin -ianus, from -i- + -anus, from -anus, adjective suffix; -ean from such words as Mediterranean, European

Noun suffix (2)

International Scientific Vocabulary -an, -ane, alteration of -ene, -ine, & -one