ajar

adjective or adverb

ə-ˈjär 

: slightly open

left the door ajar

Examples of ajar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cover with lid slightly ajar (a flat wooden spoon between the insert and the lid works well), and cook on LOW, stirring occasionally, until peach mixture is jammy and very aromatic, about 6 hours. — Torie Cox, Southern Living, 27 July 2026

Pitches have already been made to make the 2030 World Cup a 64-team event to mark a century since its first edition, and the door remains ajar for further expansion. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 14 July 2026

The previous day, a door was ajar and heaps of trash and children’s toys were visible inside. — Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Poking his camera through the ajar door, Brennan fired off a series of 10 images. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier on char, from Middle English, from on + char turn — more at chare

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ajar

• adar
• afar
• alar
• alvar
• bazaar
• bizarre
• boxcar
• boyar
• bulbar
• cachar
• cigar
• crossbar

Kids Definition

ajar

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈjär 

: slightly open

left the door ajar