Shobdo Logo
ODE→a (1)

a (1)

Flag: gbEnglishOxford Dictionary of English
a1 /eɪ , ə / (an before a vowel sound)
▸ determiner [called the indefinite article]
1 used when referring to someone or something for the first time in a text or conversation. Compare with the:
a man came out of the room
it has been an honour to meet you
we need people with a knowledge of languages.
▪ used with units of measurement to mean one such unit:
a hundred
a quarter of an hour.
▪ [with negative] one single; any:
I simply haven't a thing to wear.
▪ used when mentioning the name of someone not known to the speaker:
a Mr Smith telephoned.
▪ someone like (the name specified):
you're no better than a Hitler.
2 used to indicate membership of a class of people or things:
he is a lawyer
this car is a BMW.
3 in, to, or for each; per (used when expressing rates or ratios):
typing 60 words a minute
a move to raise petrol prices by 3p a litre.
On the question of using a or an before words beginning with h, see an.
– ORIGIN Middle English: weak form of Old English ān ‘one’.