Meaning

plural of -um.

Definitions by Sense

1. plural of -um
2. plural of -on
3. Marks singular nouns, with a foundation in Greek or Latin, often implying femininity, especially when contrasted with words terminating in -us.
4. Changes an element or substance into an oxide.
5. Marks nouns, with a foundation in Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese, implying femininity.
6. Added for metrical reasons to songs, poetry and verse, or as an empty filler syllable to other speech.
7. (slang) Alternative form of 've.
8. (slang) Clitic form of o' (contraction of of).

Example Sentences

magnesium + -a → magnesia

donna

signora

I love to sing-a / about the moon-a and the June-a and the spring-a, / I love to sing-a / about a sky of blue-a, or a tea for two-a.

A merry heart goes all the day Your sad tires in a mile-a

I wanna wanna wanna wanna wanna wanna really wanna be just like the Lord So every day Im gonna gonna read the Book and rest upon-a God's own holy Word Of good in me there's none-a none-a that's okay because I'm gonna trust upon the work that's done-a on the Cross and Jesus is the one-a one-a God the Father's Son-a Son-a and my sin He cures!

Buying bread from a man in Brussels He was six-foot-four and full of muscle I said, "Do you speak-a my language?" He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich […]

"I'm-a tell-a you why you better be. I named you in my will, Franco."

Word Forms

• -as
• -ae

Synonyms for -a

Antonyms for -a

When Should You Use -a?

Use -a when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions