ajar

[ uh-jahr ]

/ əˈdʒɑr /

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adjective, adverb

neither entirely open nor entirely shut; partly open: The door was ajar.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of ajar

1350–1400; Middle English on char on the turn; see a-¹, char³

Words nearby ajar

Aix-les-Bains, Aíyina, AJA, Ajaccio, Ajanta, ajar, Ajaria, Ajax, Ajax Mountain, AJC, ajingle

Other definitions for ajar (2 of 2)

ajar²

[ uh-jahr ]

/ əˈdʒɑr /

adverb, adjective

in contradiction to; at variance with: a story ajar with the facts.

Origin of ajar

1545–55; for at jar at discord; cf. jar³ (noun)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ajar in a sentence

Freeman said that during the gap in the video, Prather was pounding on the door so violently it popped ajar.
After escalating for years, a neighborhood feud culminates in killing caught on video|Justin Jouvenal|October 7, 2021|Washington Post
When the police officers arrived minutes later, they pushed the door ajar and found Trawick, a personal trainer and dancer, standing near his stove, holding the knife and stick.
What Police Impunity Looks Like: “There Was No Discipline as No Wrongdoing Was Found”|by Eric Umansky|April 20, 2021|ProPublica
The evidence suggested that the killer or killers had probably entered the building through the back door, which had been found ajar.
The Murder Chicago Didn’t Want to Solve|by Mick Dumke|February 25, 2021|ProPublica
Despite the high drama of shutting down news, Facebook still has sizable payment offers on publishers’ tables and there they remain with doors ajar.
How Australia May Have Just Saved Journalism From Big Tech|Robert Whitehead|February 22, 2021|Time

Every day, we are all forced to recalculate the wisdom of reentering a world that is, if far from completely reopened, at least left cautiously ajar.
How Does Your COVID-19 Risk Tolerance Compare to Others?|Chris Wilson|October 19, 2020|Time
A guard is manning the door, which is always kept ajar so she can be monitored.
Should Teens Have The Right To Die?|Brandy Zadrozny|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Her door stands ajar, halving the room with a beam of light.
After the Genocide, Rwanda’s Widows Aging Alone|Nina Strochlic|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By the time the No Smoking sign flashes off, both of the Allmans are fast asleep, their mouths characteristically ajar.
Stacks: Hitting the Note with the Allman Brothers Band|Grover Lewis|March 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An “exit” door left ajar welcomed leering lingerers backstage.
Eight Minutes at Macaulay Culkin’s Pizza Party|Caitlin Dickson|December 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Postscript: According to his Instagram and Facebook feed, Ajar is still living large.
The Real Bling Ring: Where Are They Now?|Tricia Romano|May 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It was ajar, and Kerry, taking an electric torch from his overall pocket, flashed the light upon the name-plate.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Edna had discovered it accidentally one day when the high-board gate stood ajar.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
He and Queeker stood in the passage and saw the bed, the invalid, and the watcher through an inner door which stood ajar.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
I went to the stranger's room, and listened at his door, which was slightly ajar.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Complete|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
With our door ajar we watched the ghastly struggle between the faithful mongrel and the assassin.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter

British Dictionary definitions for ajar (1 of 2)

ajar¹

/ (əˈdʒɑː) /

adjective, adverb (postpositive)

(esp of a door or window) slightly open

Word Origin for ajar

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

British Dictionary definitions for ajar (2 of 2)

ajar²

/ (əˈdʒɑː) /

adjective

(postpositive) not in harmony

Word Origin for ajar

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ajar

Origin of ajar

Words nearby ajar

Other definitions for ajar (2 of 2)

Origin of ajar

Words related to ajar

How to use ajar in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ajar (1 of 2)

Word Origin for ajar

British Dictionary definitions for ajar (2 of 2)

Word Origin for ajar