a
a
I
(
1 : the first letter of the English alphabet
[ count ] a word that begins with an a
[ noncount ] a word that begins with a
2 : a musical note or key referred to by the letter A : the sixth tone of a C-major scale
[ count ] play/sing an A
[ noncount ] a song in the key of A
3 [ count ] : a grade that is given to a student for doing excellent work
She got an A on the exam.
He's an A student. [=a student who gets A's for his schoolwork]
4 [ noncount ]
— used to refer to the first of two or more people, places, or things that are being considered
If A, B, and C divide the coins equally, how many does each person get?
an A for effort — see effort
exhibit A — see exhibit, 2
from A to Z
: including everything
The book is titled “Home Repairs From A to Z.”
from (point) A to (point) B
: from one place to another
I don't care about the scenery. I'm only interested in getting from A to B.
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II
/ə, ˈeı/ (
◇ A is used before a consonant sound.
a door
a human
An is used before a vowel sound.
an icicle
an honor
Note that when a word begins with a vowel letter but is pronounced with a consonant sound, a is used.
a one
a union
When an abbreviation begins with a consonant letter but is pronounced with a vowel sound, an is used.
an FBI investigation
an LCD display
When a word begins with h but the first syllable of the word is not given primary stress, both a and an are used.
a historic
an historic
1
— used before singular nouns when the person or thing is being mentioned for the first time
There was a tree in the field.
A man walked past him.
I heard a shout.
He bought a house, but this is not the house he bought.
I ordered an apple and some cheese: I ate the apple but not the cheese.
2 a
— used like one before number words like hundred, thousand, etc.
a hundred and twenty people
a million dollars
a dozen doughnuts
2 b
— used like one before number words like third, fortieth, etc.
This is a [=one] third the size of that.
2 c
— used like one before units of weight, measurement, etc.
a pound or two [=one or two pounds]
a week or two [=one or two weeks]
a foot and a half of water = one and a half feet of water
2 d : one single : even one
— used in negative constructions
They didn't charge me a penny. [=they didn't charge me anything at all]
“Did she say anything about it?” “Not a word.”
3
— used before a word or phrase that indicates a type or class of person or thing
My uncle is a plumber.
Copper is a metal.
She's a very nice lady.
— often used before noncount nouns that are modified by an adjective or phrase
a torrential rain
She has a warmth that puts people at ease.
I've always had a fondness for chocolate.
4
— used like any to refer in a general way to people or things
A person who is sick can't work well. [=people can't work well if they are sick]
5
— used before a proper noun to indicate limited knowledge about the person or thing being mentioned
A Mr. Smith [=a man named Mr. Smith] called to ask about the job.
Among the towns of the area there is a Newton, I believe.
6 a
— used before a proper noun that is acting as an example or type
the attractions of a Boston or a Cleveland
His friends say he's an Einstein in regard to science.
6 b
— used before the name of a day of the week to refer to one occurrence of it
My birthday falls on a Tuesday this year.
7 a
— used before the name of a person (such as a famous artist) when the name is being used to refer to something (such as a painting) created by that person
The museum recently purchased a Rembrandt. [=a painting by Rembrandt]
My violin is a Stradivarius.
7 b
— used before a family name to show that someone is a member of that family
Did you know that she's a Kennedy?
8
— used before a proper noun referring to a person or thing that has a particular quality
A triumphant Ms. Jones greeted her supporters. [=Ms. Jones was triumphant when she greeted her supporters]
We were met at the door by an embarrassed Mr. Brown. [=Mr. Brown was embarrassed when he met us at the door]
We had a very mild January.
9
— used with words like bit and little to form phrases that describe quantity, amount, or degree
She felt a bit tired.
It's getting a little late.
10
— used in phrases that describe how often something occurs, how fast something is going, etc.
They meet twice a week. [=twice each week]
The car was traveling at a hundred miles an [=per] hour.
