à la

or a la

[ ah lah, ah luh; French a la ]

preposition

1. according to; in the manner of:

   a short poem à la Ogden Nash.

2. Cooking.
   1. prepared in the manner of, to the taste of, or by:

      chicken à la provençale.

   2. prepared with the ingredient of.

à la

/ a la; ɑː lɑː; æ lə /

preposition

1. in the manner or style of
2. as prepared in (a particular place) or by or for (a particular person)

Word History and Origins

Origin of à la¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from French: short for à la mode de “in the style of”; à “at, in, to,” from Latin ad ad- ( def ); la, feminine of le “the,” from Latin ille “that” ( alligator ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of à la¹

C17: from French, short for à la mode de in the style of

Idioms and Phrases

Like, in the manner of, as in He hoped to break all records, à la Babe Ruth . This expression, an abbreviation of the French à la mode de (for “in the manner of”), has been used in English since the late 1500s.

Example Sentences

Regrow limbs, cure cancer, or rock a killer outfit à la Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element.

From The Daily Beast

In Paris, you can go to the Brooklyn Café, or have brunch à la Brooklyn.

From The Daily Beast

The 54-year-old Socialist contender was asked by WWD, “Do you see yourself in a role à la Michelle Obama, propelling designers?”

From The Daily Beast

Above all, she wanted everything to be done à la maison, even the electricity—no mean feat, that.

From The Daily Beast

Republican voters seem to prefer the futile gestures of standing alone in the Senate chamber, à la Paul and Cruz.

From The Daily Beast

The place must be battered until a breach was made, and stormed à la Turque.

From Project Gutenberg

At a certain distance the effect is that of a cemetery, or picture to yourself Madame Tussaud's exhibition à la belle étoile.

From Project Gutenberg

What do you suppose Sunbridge will say to your new expressions à la the wild and woolly West?

From Project Gutenberg

Practically you detest me, but theoretically you love me à la Thinkright.

From Project Gutenberg

His head nearly severed—à la guillotine, you understand, my love?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• according to
• in accord with
• in accordance with
• in the manner of