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.
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
A defender must monitor every virtual door and window; an attacker need only find one that is ajar.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026
If our hearts weren’t already open, they’ve just been forced ajar with a rusty, emotional crowbar.
From Salon • Nov. 30, 2025
After Arsenal dropped two points late on at Sunderland on Saturday, the door was suddenly ajar.
From BBC • Nov. 9, 2025
The passenger door opened and a slender figure emerged, leaving the door ajar: Mia’s teenage daughter, Pearl.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
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.
