Meaning & use

an

determiner·Everyday

The form of the indefinite article used before a word that begins with a vowel sound.

See it in a sentence

She adopted an adorable puppy from the shelter last weekend.

He waited an hour before the doctor finally called his name.

A note on using this word

The choice between "a" and "an" depends on sound, not spelling, so it is "an hour" but "a university."

Words with a similar meaning

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Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

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