av
1 synonym for av, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — A dialectal or informal way of saying "have," as in some regional English speech.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
A dialectal or informal way of saying "have," as in some regional English speech.
“I've got to av a word with him.”
2. noun
The eleventh month of the Jewish civil calendar (fifth of the religious calendar), falling in the summer.
“The fast of Tisha B'Av falls on the ninth day of Av.”
Etymology
The calendar sense comes from Hebrew Av, ultimately traced back to an Akkadian month name.
Full origin of av →Frequently asked questions
What does “av” mean?
The word “av” means a dialectal or informal way of saying "have," as in some regional English speech.
How do you use “av” in a sentence?
Here is “av” used in a sentence: “I've got to av a word with him.”
What part of speech is “av”?
Depending on how it is used, “av” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “av” come from?
The word “av” comes from Hebrew. The calendar sense comes from Hebrew Av, ultimately traced back to an Akkadian month name.
Is “av” a common word?
“Av” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “av” have?
“Av” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dialectal or informal way of saying "have," as in some regional English speech.
Is 'av' a standard English word?
As a verb meaning 'have,' av is dialectal or informal, found in some regional English speech rather than standard grammar. It functions the same way 'have' does but signals informal or regional speech. The capitalized noun Av, referring to a month in the Jewish calendar, is standard usage in that context.
When does the month of Av fall in the Jewish calendar?
Av is the eleventh month of the Jewish civil calendar and the fifth month of the religious calendar, falling during the summer. Its exact Gregorian dates shift each year because the Jewish calendar is lunisolar. It is best known for containing the fast day Tisha B'Av.
Should 'av' be used in formal writing?
The dialectal verb form av should be avoided in formal writing, since it represents informal or regional speech rather than standard grammar; 'have' is the correct form to use instead. The capitalized noun Av, referring to the Jewish month, is appropriate in any register when discussing the Hebrew calendar.
