Top Highlights

• the first letter of the English alphabet
• used before a noun to refer to a single thing or person that has not been mentioned before, especially when you are not referring to a particular thing or person: I've bought a car. She's got a boyfriend. There was a sudden loud noise. What a shame that you couldn't go to the party. I heard a child crying. Is he a friend of yours (= one of your fri...
• used to say what type of thing or person something or someone is: She wants to be a doctor when she grows up. This is a very mild cheese. Experts think the painting may be a Picasso (= one done by Picasso).
• used to mean any or every thing or person of the type you are referring to: Can you ride a bike? A cheetah can run faster than a lion. A teacher needs to have a lot of patience.
• used before some uncountable nouns when you want to limit their meaning in some way, such as when describing them more completely or referring to one example of them: I only have a limited knowledge of Spanish. He has a great love of music. There was a fierceness in her voice.

Domain