An
/æn/
indefinite articleBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
Indefinite article used before words starting with a vowel sound.
/æn/
indefinite articleneutralBeginner
General
Used before words beginning with a vowel sound.
An elephant is a large mammal.
💡 Simply: A word that comes before a noun when you're not talking about a specific one.
More Examples
2
An hour passed quickly.
How It's Used
General
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
From Middle English *an, from Old English *an, a weakened form of *one.
The use of 'an' has remained consistent throughout history, always preceding vowel sounds.
Memory tip
Think 'a' but use 'an' before vowel sounds.
Word Origin
LanguageOld English
Original meaning
"one"
Practice
Usage
90%Spoken
95%Written