au

[ oh ]

/ oʊ /

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plural aux

[oh]. /oʊ/. French.

to the; at the; with the.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Compare à la.

Words nearby au

at work, at worst, at wt, atypical, Atyrau, au, A.U.A., aubade, Aubanel, Aube, Auber

Other definitions for au (2 of 5)

Au¹

abbreviation

author.Also au

Other definitions for au (3 of 5)

Au²

Symbol, Chemistry.

gold.

Origin of Au

From the Latin word aurum

Other definitions for au (4 of 5)

abbreviation

astronomical unit.

Other definitions for au (5 of 5)

A.U.

or a.u.

abbreviation

angstrom unit.

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

How to use au in a sentence

Boyfriend, a New Orleans-based rapper who prefers not to reveal her real name, gets up from her decaf cafe au lait.
From Church of Christ to Pansexual Rapper|Tyler Gillespie|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The look was subtle, sweet and screamed “au natural”—even though she paid $75 for the topper.
Flower Crowns Are Phony and Must Die|Sara Lieberman|September 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sure, she was more expensive than an au pair, but, we congratulated ourselves, she spoke English and she knew what she was doing.
Kate Hired a Spanish Nanny And Who Can Blame Her? English Nannies Suck|Tom Sykes|March 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, her au naturel dusting and vacuuming maintained her svelte figure.
Seduce Like a Writer: How 7 Famous Scribes Wooed|Joni Rendon, Shannon McKenna Schmidt|February 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Au Revoir Simon, "Crazy" Girl trio Au Revior Simone get to show off some of their acting chops for this vid.
Miley Cyrus, Arcade Fire & More Best Music Videos of the Week (VIDEO)|Victoria Kezra|September 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Au retour de cette rivire Sainct Jean, nostre voyage s'addressoit jusques aux Armouchiquoys.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Et au partir de l tira ledit Sieur au Port Royal lieu de son habitation.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Car les Sauvages ayans encore de la reverence aux sepultures de leurs peres & amis, le vouloient porter au Cap de Sable 40.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Mais il manda au sieur de Poutrincourt qu'il le vinst voir ce iour l, autrement qu'il estoit mort.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Le Sieur de Poutrincourt se mit dans vne chaloupe pour aller au devant, & avec vn dogue il le fit tourner en arrire d'o il venoit.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various

British Dictionary definitions for au (1 of 3)

the internet domain name for

Australia

British Dictionary definitions for au (2 of 3)

the chemical symbol for

gold

Word Origin for Au

from New Latin aurum

British Dictionary definitions for au (3 of 3)

abbreviation for

African Union

Also: a.u. angstrom unit

Also: a.u. astronomical unit

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

Scientific definitions for au (1 of 2)

The symbol for gold.

Scientific definitions for au (2 of 2)

Abbreviation of astronomical unit