ajar

¹

[uh-jahr]

adjective

1. neither entirely open nor entirely shut; partly open.

   The door was ajar.

ajar

²

[uh-jahr]

adverb

1. in contradiction to; at variance with.

   a story ajar with the facts.

ajar

¹

/ əˈdʒɑː /

adjective

1. (esp of a door or window) slightly open

ajar

²

/ əˈdʒɑː /

adjective

1. (postpositive) not in harmony

Word History and Origins

Origin of ajar¹

1350–1400; Middle English on char on the turn; a- ¹, char ³

Origin of ajar²

1545–55; for at jar at discord; jar ³ (noun)

Word History and Origins

Origin of ajar¹

C18: altered form of obsolete on char, literally: on the turn; char, from Old English cierran to turn

Origin of ajar²

C19: altered form of at jar at discord. See _jar ²

Example Sentences

If our hearts weren’t already open, they’ve just been forced ajar with a rusty, emotional crowbar.

Read more on Salon

It creaks as it swings, revealing a set of dusty concrete steps that ascend to a slightly ajar wooden hatch.

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On this night the door had been left ajar, and a soft light flickered from within.

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After Arsenal dropped two points late on at Sunderland on Saturday, the door was suddenly ajar.

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But he is not even assured to play in Perth after chief selector George Bailey left the door marginally ajar for Labuschagne to open.

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