Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for ajar. Search instead for ajara.
Synonyms

ajar

1 American  
[uh-jahr] / əˈdʒɑr /

adjective

  1. neither entirely open nor entirely shut; partly open.

    The door was ajar.
ajar 2 American  
[uh-jahr] / əˈdʒɑr /

adverb

  1. in contradiction to; at variance with.

    a story ajar with the facts.
ajar 1 British  
/ əˈdʒɑː /

adjective

  1. (esp of a door or window) slightly open

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
ajar 2 British  
/ əˈdʒɑː /

adjective

  1. (postpositive) not in harmony

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ajar1

1350–1400; Middle English on char on the turn; a- 1, char 3

Origin of ajar2

1545–55; for at jar at discord; jar 3 (noun)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A defender must monitor every virtual door and window; an attacker need only find one that is ajar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

According to media reports, the ICC is still waiting formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board on the boycott, leaving the door slightly ajar for a last-minute deal to get the game on.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

If our hearts weren’t already open, they’ve just been forced ajar with a rusty, emotional crowbar.

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2025

Despite this, India has refrained from imposing retaliatory tariffs against the US and has left the door ajar for further negotiations.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025

Dudley did not answer, but stood there with his mouth slightly ajar, reminding Harry a little of the giant, Grawp.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.