au

¹ American  

[oh] / oʊ /

French.

plural

aux

1. to the; at the; with the.

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Au ² American  

abbreviation

1. author. Also au

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Au ³ American  

Symbol, Chemistry.

1. gold.

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AU ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. astronomical unit.

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A.U. ⁵ American  

Or a.u.

abbreviation

1. angstrom unit.

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au ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Australia

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Au ² British  

symbol

1. gold

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AU ³ British  

abbreviation

1. African Union

2. Also: a.u..  angstrom unit

3. Also: a.u..  astronomical unit

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AU Scientific  

1. Abbreviation of astronomical unit

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Etymology

Origin of Au

From the Latin word aurum

Example Sentences

Alnour Mohamed Ali, a Sudanese national, was charged with endangering life after the four people died while trying to board a water taxi off the coast of Saint Etienne au Mont, near Calais.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

One of the few au courant innovations on “What’s in the Box?” involves surveillance: As one couple answers questions, the camera eavesdrops on the conversations among their competition, which can range from catty to worse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

It’s exactly what it sounds like: toasted French or Italian bread soaked in the rich, savory au jus of an Italian beef sandwich.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2025

Here he is the 1919 go-between for Esther Nacht, a 14-year-old Jewish refugee whom he places with the Winslow family as an au pair.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2025

It loved Camilla, and followed her everywhere: Henry quoted long passages about Emma Bovary and her greyhound: “Sa pensée, sans but d’abord, vagabondait au hasard, comme sa levrette, qui faisait des cercles dans la campagne....”

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt