1815–25; < Old Provençal: dawn < Latin, feminine of albus white
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They promise opportunities for high-paying, short-term alba, as part-time jobs are known here, from the German word for “job,” arbeit.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2021
This pure white variety of death cap,Amanita phalloides var. alba, resembles many edible species, especially when young.
From Slate ● Feb. 10, 2014
The linea alba is a white, fibrous band that is made of the bilateral rectus sheaths that join at the anterior midline of the body.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013
One is a nocturne, the other, a kind of aubade, or alba.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 22, 2013
A Quercus alba, or White Oak, is no hindrance to Betula alba, or White Birch; and so of other names.
From The Elements of Botany For Beginners and For Schools by Gray, Asa
Eliana, Gracie, Alba and Lilah are among new entries into the top 100 for the first time for girls.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
“That’s why we choose to start with Alba, who is the granddaughter that is able to start her healing process by understanding her family history,” Urrejola says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026
Morgan analyst William Peterson wrote in a recent note to clients that roughly a third of Alcoa’s alumina capacity is contracted to “key players” in the Middle East, including EGA and Alba.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 30, 2026
Tiny Health and Alba Health sell gut health tests for babies for $249 and $349, respectively.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 3, 2026
Esteban Trueba, who had always found it difficult to express his emotions and had had no access to tenderness ever since his relationship with Clara had deteriorated, transferred all his finest sentiments to Alba.
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
“I see you’re not planning to cooperate, Alba. That’s too bad.”
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
“For the last time, Alba. Where is Miguel?”
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
“Look what they’ve done to you! I warned you, Alba. Try to relax now, I’m going to give you a cup of coffee.”
From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende
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.
