au

¹ American  

[oh] / oʊ /

French.

plural

aux

1. to the; at the; with the.

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Au ² American  

abbreviation

1. author. Also au

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Au ³ American  

Symbol, Chemistry.

1. gold.

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AU ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. astronomical unit.

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A.U. ⁵ American  

Or a.u.

abbreviation

1. angstrom unit.

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Au ¹ British  

symbol

1. gold

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au ² British  

abbreviation

1. Australia

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AU ³ British  

abbreviation

1. African Union

2. Also: a.u..  angstrom unit

3. Also: a.u..  astronomical unit

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AU Scientific  

1. Abbreviation of astronomical unit

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Etymology

Origin of Au

From the Latin word aurum

Example Sentences

Writing in a local cafe is not only cheaper—the price of a café au lait—but also offers the illusion of companionship without any of its intrusions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

On the menu is uni pasta, hanger steak au poivre and a dry-aged burger with fries, which restaurant critic Bill Addison says doesn’t require any twists because “it’s simply a fantastic burger.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

Coquilles Saint-Jacques is essentially a frou-frou description for scallops au gratin, more often prepared as a casserole than in those magical shells which are harder to find these days.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2025

Warnings are also in effect parts of Haiti including the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

From BBC • Oct. 26, 2025

“Oh, look at her skin. Just like café au lait.”

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng