noun
Common
ar
AH
Ar (noun) means the name of the letter R. Example: “The word "car" ends in an ar sound.”
noun
1
The name of the letter R.
"All the ars in the inscription."
"The word "car" ends in an ar sound."
How to use ar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe spoken name of the letter R.
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Word forms
- Plural
- ars
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The word "car" ends in an _____ sound.
Etymology
Came from Middle English *ar (plural arres), which developed from an earlier *er.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ar” mean?
The word “ar” means the name of the letter R. In plain terms, the spoken name of the letter R.
How do you pronounce “ar”?
“Ar” is pronounced AH (/ˈɑɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ar” in a sentence?
Here is “ar” used in a sentence: “The word "car" ends in an ar sound.”
What part of speech is “ar”?
“Ar” is a noun.
Is “ar” a common word?
“Ar” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Why is it 'an R' and not 'a R' when the letter is spelled ar?
The choice between a and an follows sound, not spelling. The name of the letter R is ar, which begins with a vowel sound, so it takes an. The same logic gives an F, an M, and an S, whose names also start with vowel sounds.
What is the plural of ar?
The plural is ars, as in two ars in embarrass. When referring to the letter symbol itself rather than its spelled-out name, many style guides prefer writing Rs or R's instead.
Is ar a valid Scrabble word?
Yes. Ar, the name of the letter R, appears in the major Scrabble word lists, which makes it a handy two-letter play. Letter names such as ar, ef, and em are a common source of short words in word games.
