an

Pronunciation

stressed

• IPA ^(key): /æn/
• SAMPA: /{n/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

unstressed

• IPA ^(key): /ən/
• SAMPA: /@n/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

  (unstressed in the phrase "an egg")

Determiner

Determiner Before a vowel an

Before a consonant a

1. (indefinite) (singular) (count) An is used when you don't expect your listener to identify which thing you mean.
   • Synonyms: one, any and each

   I just ate an apple.

   It is indeed an honor to have met you today.

Usage notes

• An is only used if the following word starts with a vowel (e.g., an orange pen not a orange pen).
• (UK) Used before a word that begins with a pronounced h sound (e.g., an historic day).
• If the following word starts with a consonant then we use a instead.
• An is called the indefinite article.

Related words

• a
• any
• the