What does “the” mean?
- 1
determinerused before a noun when the listener knows which one you mean
Can you close the door, please?
- 2
determinerused before something that is the only one of its kind
The sun is very bright today.
The at a glance
- Part of speech
- determiner
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /ðə/ · THUH
How to use “the” correctly
Before a vowel sound, “the” is usually said “thee”: “the apple”. Don’t use “the” for things in general: “I like music.”
“the” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- a determinerA1used before a singular noun when you mean any one, or one not mentioned before
- another determinerA1one more of the same kind
- each determinerA1every one of two or more people or things, seen separately
- his determinerA1belonging to or connected with a man or boy already mentioned
- its determinerA1belonging to or connected with a thing or animal already mentioned
- my determinerA1belonging to or connected with the speaker
- our determinerA1belonging to or connected with the speaker and others
- that determinerA1used for a person or thing farther away or already mentioned