1815–25; < Old Provençal: dawn < Latin, feminine of albus white
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When he saw a posting online for a high-paying alba for about $2,650, he applied.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2021
This pure white variety of death cap,Amanita phalloides var. alba, resembles many edible species, especially when young.
From Slate ● Feb. 10, 2014
The linea alba is a white, fibrous band that is made of the bilateral rectus sheaths that join at the anterior midline of the body.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
One is a nocturne, the other, a kind of aubade, or alba.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 22, 2013
The caterpillar feeds on the wild Raspberry, also, it is said, on Potentilla alba, and P. anserina, and is greenish, with white lines.
From British Butterfiles Figures and Descriptions of Every Native Species by Coleman, W. S. (William Stephen)
Alba has cooked for Pope Francis, but he is most excited when talking about Lionel Messi, who is likely playing his last World Cup.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026
Lopez soon joined local girls and boys teams where she often played in defence, and her innate talent caught the attention of Alba Mellado.
From BBC ● May 22, 2026
“That’s why we choose to start with Alba, who is the granddaughter that is able to start her healing process by understanding her family history,” Urrejola says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026
Morgan analyst William Peterson wrote in a recent note to clients that roughly a third of Alcoa’s alumina capacity is contracted to “key players” in the Middle East, including EGA and Alba.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 30, 2026
Alba would go out and return pulling an imaginary Eachyderm on an invisible rope.
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
“I see you’re not planning to cooperate, Alba. That’s too bad.”
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
“For the last time, Alba. Where is Miguel?”
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
“Look what they’ve done to you! I warned you, Alba. Try to relax now, I’m going to give you a cup of coffee.”
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
