AJAR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does ajar mean? 

• AJAR (adjective)
  The adjective AJAR has 1 sense:

1. slightly open

  Familiarity information: AJAR used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AJAR (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Slightly open

Context example:

the door was ajar

Similar:

open; unfastened (affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed)

 Context examples 

I followed him into his room, leaving the hall door ajar behind me, for I feared to be alone with the man.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The door we will leave ajar.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The rude plank door was ajar, but as Alleyne approached it there came from within such a gust of rough laughter and clatter of tongues that he stood irresolute upon the threshold.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She was obliged to leave the door ajar as she found it; but she fully intended that Mr. Elton should close it.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

On the table stood a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Something creaked: it was a door ajar; and that door was Mr. Rochester's, and the smoke rushed in a cloud from thence.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

His door was ajar, so that he could hear the opening of the door of our room.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The door to the Transcontinental office was ajar, and Martin, in the act of opening it, was brought to a sudden pause by a loud voice from within, which exclaimed:- But that is not the question, Mr. Ford. (Ford, Martin knew, from his correspondence, to be the editor's name.) The question is, are you prepared to pay? —cash, and cash down, I mean?

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

What occurred during that time has not yet transpired, but at a quarter to twelve Police-constable Barrett, passing along Godolphin Street observed that the door of No. 16 was ajar.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The door of the left-hand flat upon the third landing was standing ajar.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)