Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

ala

/ˈeɪ.lə/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.53 in modern English

Syllables: ala
IPA: /ˈeɪ.lə/

3

Scrabble Score

3

Letters

2

Syllables

2

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A wing or winglike anatomic process or part, especially of bone.

noun

The flattened border of some stems, fruits, and seeds, or one of the two side petals of certain flowers in the pea family.

noun

In ancient Rome, a small room opening into a larger room or courtyard.

prep

Alternative form of a la.

Colloquial

name

Alternative spelling of Ala..

noun

Initialism of alpha linolenic acid.

Uncountable

noun

Initialism of aminolevulinic acid.

Uncountable

name

Initialism of American Library Association.

Example Sentences

"The film is told in reverse ala Memento."
"[…] interactive plasma screens with flashing digits and what not, ala “Minority Report,” […]"
"[…] we might be getting to the point where Palin is a bona fide liability—ala Pelosi—for the GOP."
"[…] the NYSE didn't implode ala Merrill […]"

Etymology

Originated 1730–40, borrowed from Latin āla (“wing”). Doublet of aisle.

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: *h₂eḱs-, ala, à la

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈeɪ.lə/

Usage

Inflected Forms

alae (plural) alæ (plural)

Rhymes With

gala salah valhalla ramallah ocala abdallah calla halla balla valla lalla falla

Questions

How do you pronounce ala?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈeɪ.lə/.
What does ala mean?: A wing or winglike anatomic process or part, especially of bone.
Where does ala come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce ala

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “ala”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈeɪ.lə/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “ala”.
Repeat and practice — Say “ala” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.