The

Definition

The is a definite article used in the English language to specify a noun as something unique or previously mentioned.

Parts of Speech

• Definite Article

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ðə/ (before consonants), /ðiː/ (before vowels)
• Respelling: thuh (before consonants), thee (before vowels)

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ðə/ (before consonants), /ðiː/ (before vowels)
• Respelling: thuh (before consonants), thee (before vowels)

Etymology

The word "the" originates from Old English "þē," a form of "sē" (the masculine demonstrative pronoun). Its roots trace back to Proto-Germanic "*sa" and ultimately to the Proto-Indo-European "*so," used as a demonstrative or definite article.

Derivatives

• Thee (archaic pronoun)
• Theism (noun, unrelated meaning)
• Theology (noun, unrelated meaning)
• Thesaurus (noun, unrelated meaning)
• Theme (noun, unrelated meaning)

Synonyms

• None

Antonyms

• None

Usage

The definite article "the" is used to refer to specific nouns. For example, "She looked at the moon," specifying the known celestial body.

It can also be used for emphasis: "This is the book everyone is talking about."

Related Terms

• A: An indefinite article used to refer to nonspecific nouns.
• An: An indefinite article used before vowel sounds for nonspecific nouns.
• That: A demonstrative pronoun used for specifying.

Detailed Definitions

Definite Article

• Used to specify a unique or previously mentioned noun: Refers to something known to the speaker and listener.
  • Example: "The sun rises in the east."
• Used to denote something as unique: Refers to something that exists singularly in context.
  • Example: "He is the president of the company."
• Used for emphasis or importance: Highlights a specific noun or entity.
  • Example: "This is the place we talked about."