ajar

¹ American  

[uh-jahr] / əˈdʒɑr /

adjective

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

   The door was ajar.

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ajar ² American  

[uh-jahr] / əˈdʒɑr /

adverb

1. in contradiction to; at variance with.

   a story ajar with the facts.

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ajar ¹ British  

/ əˈdʒɑː /

adjective

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

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ajar ² British  

/ əˈdʒɑː /

adjective

1. (postpositive) not in harmony

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Etymology

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)

Example Sentences

“The door was ajar, so I didn’t think you had anyone—” He looks back at me, and I see him take in the bloody clothes, the icepack—all of it.

From Literature

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

From Salon

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

From Literature

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

From Literature

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

From BBC