à la

Or a la

[ah lah, ah luh, 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

But this quirky musical with a dramatic soul might serve as the platonic ideal of a La Jolla Playhouse show.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

All of this is generating fear of fraud and violence, à la Venezuela in July 2024 when Mr. Maduro stole the presidential election.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mariona is a survivor of the Patronato de Protección a la Mujer - the Women's Protection Board.

Read more on BBC

While Williams-Sonoma offers a number of complete Thanksgiving dinners for delivery—including one featuring a Cajun-style fried turkey, and another with a honey-glazed ham—the kitchenware and gourmet-food retailer also offers dozens of à la carte offerings.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That worldview preaches racial grievance and ethnic division, a la the New York Times 1619 project.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• according to 
• in accord with www.thesaurus.com
• in accordance with www.thesaurus.com
• in the manner of www.thesaurus.com