ha

or hah

[ hah ]

/ hɑ /

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interjection

(used as an exclamation of surprise, interrogation, suspicion, triumph, etc.)

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

Origin of ha

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at ha-ha¹

Words nearby ha

h, H1B visa, H1N1, H2O, H8, ha, HAA, haaf, Haakon IV, Haakon VII, haar

Other definitions for ha (2 of 6)

abbreviation

hectare; hectares.

Other definitions for ha (3 of 6)

Symbol, Chemistry, Physics.

hahnium.

Other definitions for ha (4 of 6)

hā

[ hah ]

/ hɑ /

noun

the 26th letter of the Arabic alphabet, representing a glottal spirant consonant sound.

Origin of hā

From Arabic

Other definitions for ha (5 of 6)

ḥā

[ khah ]

/ xɑ /

noun

the sixth letter of the Arabic alphabet, representing a pharyngeal spirant consonant.

Origin of ḥā

From Arabic

Other definitions for ha (6 of 6)

h.a.

abbreviation

Gunnery. high angle.

in this year.

Origin of h.a.

(def. 2) <Latin hōc annō

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

How to use ha in a sentence

In 2009, when a military doctor finally diagnosed her husband with the condition, she says, “that was the big a-ha moment.”
When the War Comes Home|Sara Stewart|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I lay there and thrashed about and all I could hear was my father and ‘ha, ha, ha’.
Kate and William’s Royal Family Values|Tom Sykes|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
From just outside the main door a distinct “ha-ha-ha” echoed up and down the concourse.
Inside a Hospital for the Criminally Insane|Caitlin Dickson|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lonard thinks ha-ha-ha and tells Bantam that the rights have reverted to him, which they have.
Elmore Leonard’s Rocky Road to Fame and Fortune|Mike Lupica|September 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I was really surprised because Head-On had already been brought to the screen six years ago.
Game of Thrones’ Sibel Kekilli Discusses Shae’s Treachery at the Trial of Tyrion Lannister|Marlow Stern|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The old postman says it was insufficiently addressed, or it 'ud ha' been here by first post.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
Ha—assure you we quite understand; no necessity to say another word about it.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
This is not the first time in history when the lack of a ha'porth of tar has spoilt the ship of State.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
It is the chief cereal, and the inhabitants say it originated in Ha-ram, China, nearly five thousand years ago.
Our Little Korean Cousin|H. Lee M. Pike
Sit down, Dorothy Chance, Ye'r welcome to what we ha'; not 'specting company you'll find no junkets at table.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie

British Dictionary definitions for ha (1 of 4)

ha¹

hah

/ (hɑː) /

interjection

an exclamation expressing derision, triumph, surprise, etc, according to the intonation of the speaker

(reiterated) a representation of the sound of laughter

British Dictionary definitions for ha (2 of 4)

ha²

symbol for

hectare

British Dictionary definitions for ha (3 of 4)

abbreviation for

Hawaii

British Dictionary definitions for ha (4 of 4)

h.a.

abbreviation for

hoc anno

Word Origin for h.a.

Latin: in this year

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