ajar
1 Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of ajar1
1350–1400; Middle English on char on the turn; see a- 1, char 3
Origin of ajar2
1545–55; for at jar at discord; cf. jar 3 (noun)
Explanation
The adjective ajar describes something that is slightly open. A door that has been left ajar is easily pushed open by the wind or a nosy person. To correctly pronounce ajar, say "uh-JAR." People in a hurry leave drawers and cabinet doors ajar, or hanging open. If a chime starts ringing when you start a car, a door or the trunk may be ajar. Check that everything is securely closed before taking off. But don't describe a mouth that is open in surprise as ajar. A better word choice is agape.
Vocabulary lists containing ajar
"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, Part Six
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Chains
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Mr. Popper’s Penguins
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The only issue came at one airport drop off when a slightly ajar door made Waymo think something was wrong.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
One Vietnamese shop owner in the Mitte district near the former Berlin Wall rolls down his shutter but leaves his door ajar for locals, who know to sneak in for milk and vegetables.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Saturday's chastening 2-1 home defeat by Bournemouth, however, has once again left the door ajar for Pep Guardiola's side.
From BBC ● Apr. 11, 2026
According to media reports, the ICC is still waiting formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board on the boycott, leaving the door slightly ajar for a last-minute deal to get the game on.
From Barron's ● Feb. 5, 2026
Rubio bolts upright, his mouth ajar and eyebrows knitted in a V. “Zeta-1’s cuento is true!” he says.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
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.
