A
A (character) means the first letter of the English alphabet. Example: “The word "apple" starts with an a.”
How to Use A
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBoth the first letter of the alphabet and the small word we put in front of a noun when we mean "one of these, not a specific one."
Use "a" before a consonant sound and "an" before a vowel sound — it's about sound, not spelling ("an hour", "a university").
Trace the full origin ↓Word Forms
As plural, A's plural, As plural, A's plural, as plural, a's plural, as plural, a's plural, a's plural, aes plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The word "apple" starts with an _____.
Etymology
Descended from the Old English letter A, itself adapted from Latin, ultimately going back to the Phoenician letter aleph.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related Words
Rhymes for A
See all rhymes for A →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “A” mean?
The word “A” means the first letter of the English alphabet. In plain terms, both the first letter of the alphabet and the small word we put in front of a noun when we mean "one of these, not a specific one.".
How do you pronounce “A”?
“A” is pronounced ay (/eɪ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “A” in a sentence?
Here is “A” used in a sentence: “The word "apple" starts with an a.”
What is another word for “A”?
Words with a similar meaning to “A” include an and one.
What is the opposite of “A”?
The opposite of “A” — its antonyms — are every and the.
What part of speech is “A”?
Depending on how it is used, “A” can be a character, an article and a preposition.
Where does the word “A” come from?
The word “A” comes from Latin. Descended from the Old English letter A, itself adapted from Latin, ultimately going back to the Phoenician letter aleph.
Is “A” a common word?
“A” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
Featured In
Vocabulary lists that include A: