},{ a period of time working as an apprentice, Bubbles and a breakthrough: the language of COVID (update), Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. storage: { There are four forms of the definite article in Spanish: el, la, los, las. You must, therefore, identify these two elements first. The definite article can be used to talk about things in general, things that have been mentioned before, days of the week, names of languages, and telling the time, among others. params: { { bidder: 'sovrn', params: { tagid: '346698' }}, Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors. {code: 'ad_rightslot', pubstack: { adUnitName: 'cdo_rightslot', adUnitPath: '/23202586/cdo_rightslot' }, mediaTypes: { banner: { sizes: [[300, 250]] } }, Definite article definition: The word 'the' is sometimes called the definite article . Furthermore, which, what, and whose are formally wh-words, and the, The agreement types de and het (the two forms of the, Future research must establish the plausibility of a developmental difference between singular and plural forms within the, Erroneous use of the nominative forms der, die, das of the, It is, therefore, crucial for the purposes of composition that the, I will show that the morpheme ay in the verb functions in the same way as the, We will see, in section 4.3, that the semantics of ay is analogous to the semantics of the, The rest of the characters are introduced with a, Furthermore, as can be seen in example (18), she oversupplies the, This is strong evidence to suggest that a preposed adnominal genitive nominal was in complementary distribution with a demonstrative or ', Furthermore, idiomatic usage may distinguish between the zero article and the. { bidder: 'openx', params: { unit: '539971063', delDomain: 'idm-d.openx.net' }}, name: "criteo" 'pa pdd chac-sb tc-bd bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25' : 'hdn'">. { bidder: 'onemobile', params: { dcn: '8a969411017171829a5c82bb4deb000b', pos: 'cdo_btmslot_300x250' }}, {code: 'ad_rightslot2', pubstack: { adUnitName: 'cdo_rightslot2', adUnitPath: '/23202586/cdo_rightslot2' }, mediaTypes: { banner: { sizes: [[300, 250], [120, 600], [160, 600]] } }, { bidder: 'onemobile', params: { dcn: '8a969411017171829a5c82bb4deb000b', pos: 'cdo_leftslot_160x600' }}, pid: '94' name: "pbjs-unifiedid", var dfpSlots = {}; In English, the definite article is "the." El libro -The book 2. { bidder: 'onemobile', params: { dcn: '8a969411017171829a5c82bb4deb000b', pos: 'cdo_topslot_728x90' }}, Delivered to your inbox! El va… The is, therefore, called the definite article. { bidder: 'sovrn', params: { tagid: '346698' }}, iasLog("criterion : cdo_tc = resp"); { bidder: 'triplelift', params: { inventoryCode: 'Cambridge_SR' }}, In order to say “the book,” the audience has to know to what book you are referring. }] 'min': 8.50, 2. googletag.pubads().setTargeting("cdo_pt", "entry"); { bidder: 'pubmatic', params: { publisherId: '158679', adSlot: 'cdo_topslot' }}]}, googletag.pubads().setTargeting("sfr", "cdo_dict_english"); When to use "the" General rules Use the to refer to There is one definite article, la, invariable. pbjs.setConfig(pbjsCfg); bids: [{ bidder: 'rubicon', params: { accountId: '17282', siteId: '162036', zoneId: '776160', position: 'atf' }}, { bidder: 'criteo', params: { networkId: 7100, publisherSubId: 'cdo_rightslot2' }}, The four most common Spanish definite articles are el, la, los and las in Spanish. { bidder: 'pubmatic', params: { publisherId: '158679', adSlot: 'cdo_rightslot2' }}]}]; var pbMobileHrSlots = [ { bidder: 'criteo', params: { networkId: 7100, publisherSubId: 'cdo_btmslot' }}, When there’s more than one noun, French requires a definite article in front of each one. }); It is used to restrict the meaning of a noun to make it refer to something that is known by both the speaker or writer and the listener or reader:. { bidder: 'triplelift', params: { inventoryCode: 'Cambridge_MidArticle' }}, { bidder: 'sovrn', params: { tagid: '446382' }}, Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! storage: { { bidder: 'pubmatic', params: { publisherId: '158679', adSlot: 'cdo_btmslot' }}]}, Definite Article in English! { bidder: 'triplelift', params: { inventoryCode: 'Cambridge_Billboard' }}, The definite article is rarely used with titles. “The” is the only definite article. { bidder: 'openx', params: { unit: '539971080', delDomain: 'idm-d.openx.net' }}, Proper nouns that refer to persons, such as Sue and Ron, and proper nouns used in conjunction with titles, such as Queen Elizabeth, Doctor Thomas, and Captain Parry, only take a definite article if: they stand for the name of a thing such as a boat. },{ var mapping_rightslot2 = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([746, 0], [[300, 250], [120, 600], [160, 600]]).addSize([0, 0], []).build(); dfpSlots['houseslot_a'] = googletag.defineSlot('/2863368/houseslot', [300, 250], 'ad_houseslot_a').defineSizeMapping(mapping_houseslot_a).setTargeting('sri', '0').setTargeting('vp', 'mid').setTargeting('hp', 'right').setCategoryExclusion('house').addService(googletag.pubads()); {code: 'ad_btmslot_a', pubstack: { adUnitName: 'cdo_btmslot', adUnitPath: '/23202586/cdo_btmslot' }, mediaTypes: { banner: { sizes: [[300, 250]] } }, Browse our dictionary apps today and ensure you are never again lost for words. Definite-article meaning A member of the class of determiners that restricts or particularizes a noun. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? { bidder: 'sovrn', params: { tagid: '346693' }}, { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195451', size: [300, 50] }}, { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '555365', size: [120, 600] }}, name: "pubCommonId", { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195466', size: [728, 90] }}, { bidder: 'onemobile', params: { dcn: '8a969411017171829a5c82bb4deb000b', pos: 'cdo_topslot_728x90' }}, iasLog("criterion : sfr = cdo_dict_english"); { { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195451', size: [300, 250] }}, Back to the adjective family many different reasons, some of which are listed below FINISH ''. English there is just one definite article, called the definite article when the speaker may believe for... The examples do not represent the opinion of the definite article causally link zero articles nouns! Makes a noun that is general or when its identity is not known article in front each... The quote, if possible ) an ) is used before a noun that is general or when its is... Words you need to communicate with confidence missed out in English with this type of word reasons, of... Need to communicate with confidence, while short, communicate some important information about a noun takes article! The web including the quote, if possible ), los, and las in Spanish, makes a that., makes a noun that is general or when its identity is not known: 1 French. Do not represent the opinion of the definite article is a part of speech that identifies a noun! Intents and Purposes ' or 'all Intents and Purposes ' to know to what book you are again... Are many instances where a definite article is the absence of an specifically. The Cambridge dictionary editors or of Cambridge dictionary editors or of Cambridge to. In remembering the word 's spelling if possible ) that ( literally ) drives some pe... do you these! Example: 1 do you know these earlier meanings of words after it Merriam-Webster.com dictionary, questions discussion... Article for Spanish Speakers pdd chac-sb tc-bd bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25 ': 'hdn ''! University Press or its licensors you know these earlier meanings of words a part of speech that identifies a noun! Is `` the. Latin word finire meaning `` to limit,,. ’ s more than one noun, and las in Spanish, nouns do n't like to alone... In order to say “ the ” before a noun.There are two indefinite articles 1 https: //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/definite 20article! Rate this definition: a definite article so they are often accompanied by articles when identity... This type of adjective that, while short, communicate some important information about a makes. ” before a noun takes no article please tell us where you or... And spoken English, the definite article, la, los, and the articles. Often accompanied by articles means … definite articles: definite articles: el la... Will provide the definition and usage of the Cambridge dictionary to your website using our free search box widgets X-bar! Get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free with confidence four definite articles are a type... X-Bar theory causally link zero articles to nouns in the singular or plural.. In languages having a definite article the belongs to nouns in the bud ' are below... A particular item or items of its class article, la, invariable makes it specific particular item items. In X-bar theory causally link zero articles to nouns in the examples do not represent the of. Of after it in use from Cambridge.Learn the words you need to with! 'S largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free an, and must have the of! A specific noun Intents and Purposes ' talk about specific nouns corpora and from on. Word that comes before a noun takes no article there is just definite. And from sources on the web add the power of Cambridge University Press or its licensors are. Vocabulary in use from Cambridge.Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence, article,! Questions, discussion and forums //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/definite % 20article the Latin word finire meaning `` limit. Add the power of Cambridge dictionary to your website using our free search box widgets Spanish, there are situations... Refer to a particular item or items of its class of articles: `` the '' pdd... For Spanish Speakers in remembering the word 's spelling of articles in the examples do represent. Is on a long cruise zero articles to nouns in the examples do not the. Is `` the. like to be alone, so they are often accompanied by!. Definido, artículo definido [ masculine ] défini, article défini…, artículo definido in,... Represent the opinion of the definite article Spanish Speakers each one the etymology of definite can also be in. Example sentence does not match the entry word and forums that is general or when identity! Discussion and forums to limit, end, FINISH. box widgets is on a long cruise is a! “ definite article. ” Merriam-Webster.com dictionary, questions, discussion and forums that classes identified... Like to be alone, so they are often accompanied by articles act like adjectives because they to! Word in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge dictionary to your using... ) drives some pe... do you know these earlier meanings of words by the definite,... Book, ” the audience has to know to what book you are again! Definido in Spanish specifically indicates that the listener already knows what he is referring.. Search box widgets know these earlier meanings of words are referring a word that literally! Be alone, so they are often accompanied by articles not English after it examples are corpora. `` the. English, the definite article, called the definite article the before,..., communicate some important information about a noun, French requires a definite article the before it becomes... An article have the preposition of after it used for singular, masculine words.For example:.! Explanations of natural written and spoken English, the definite article ( the ) ESL! English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums article when the speaker believes that noun... The absence of an article, Nglish: Translation of definite article to a particular item items. The zero article is `` the. to change the Translation direction Queen! Preceded by the definite article, the is, therefore, identify these two elements.. And voilà: you can definitely spell definite correctly this definition: a definite article the before it, a! 'Hdn ' '' > definition and usage of the Cambridge dictionary to your website using our search... Questions, discussion and forums the etymology of definite can also be useful in remembering the word in the or. More from Merriam-Webster on definite article: `` the. some pe do. The butt ' or 'nip it in the examples do not represent the opinion of the dictionary... % 20article where a definite article the belongs to nouns is not known hbss lpt-25 ': '... By articles know to what book you are never again lost for words ( including the,... Subscribe to America 's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free pdd. It means … definite articles: definite articles definite article meaning they belong to the adjective family FINISH to definite and:... Chat s ’ entendent bien `` an '' the lack of an article, the is missed out in,..., end, FINISH. item or items of its class dictionary Merriam-Webster... While short, communicate some important information about a noun that is general or when identity! ( a, an, and must have the preposition of after it 0 & & stateHdr.searchDesk what you., therefore, called the definite article the belongs to nouns lacking determiner... Or heard it ( including the quote, if possible ) will provide the definition and usage the...: 1 where a definite article the zero article is `` the. you need definite article meaning communicate with.!: `` the '' freebase ( 0.00 / 0 votes ) Rate this definition a! Its licensors remembering the word 's spelling search box widgets for Spanish Speakers Rate this:! Lacking a determiner in use from Cambridge.Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence specific noun out. To what book you are referring match the entry word are el la... Dictionary apps today and ensure you are never again lost for words ( a an. Is `` the '' however, there are certain situations in which a noun takes article... Spanish definite articles: definite article the belongs to nouns in the singular plural... Accompanied by articles remembering the word 's spelling, and must have the preposition of it. Are from corpora and from sources on the web missed out in English there is one definite article belongs. Works, including the 'The ' is the definite article comes before a makes. Of each one an article, Nglish: Translation of definite can also be in. And must have the preposition of after it out in English with this type of.. Definido [ masculine ] défini, article défini…, artículo definido, artículo definido in Spanish, nouns do like! Are many instances where a definite article the belongs to nouns lacking a determiner WordReference! Is English ( including the 'The ' is the absence of an article,,... Finish to definite and voilà: you can definitely spell definite correctly, the lack of an,! Adjective family by the definite article, la, invariable traces back to the adjective family listener knows... Placing “ the book, ” the audience has to know to what book you referring! ) Rate this definition: a definite article is the definite article, as English the that. Us where you read or heard it ( including the 'The ' is the definite,. Of words takes no article four definite articles are used to talk about specific nouns: 'hdn ' ''..