Da

/dɑː/ adj, article, intj, name, noun, verb, slang

adj, article, intj, name, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: Father.
  • Grammar: da is listed as adj, article, intj, name, noun, verb, slang.
  • Nearest alternatives: absolutely, ag, all right, alright.
  • Useful contrasts: nyet, defense attorney, to.
  • Usage evidence: Da Vinci could see farther than others.

How to use "da"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "da" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "da" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "da" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "da" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "da" is acting as adj, article, intj, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "absolutely" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "da", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Father. Ireland, Northern-England, Scotland

    "“Dear, but you're like your grandmother!” she continued, patting the little girl's head. “Many a penny's worth I sold to your da, when he was weer than you are.”"

  2. 2
    Yes; an affirmative response. Russianism, slang, uncountable
  3. 3
    Initialism of district attorney. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
  4. 4
    an official prosecutor for a judicial district wordnet
  5. 5
    Initialism of duck's arse (“type of haircut”). abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable

    "1977-1980, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure Went to a new haircutters, told him I wanted a DA and sideburns, and that "your ultimate goal is to make me look like a boy"."

Show 10 more definitions
  1. 6
    Initialism of Doctor of Arts. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
  2. 7
    Initialism of domain administration. Internet, abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
  3. 8
    Initialism of dairy association. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
  4. 9
    Initialism of dopamine. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
  5. 10
    Initialism of domoic acid. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
  6. 11
    Initialism of descending aorta. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
  7. 12
    Initialism of ductus arteriosus. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
  8. 13
    Initialism of domain authority. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
  9. 14
    Initialism of devolved administration. UK, abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
  10. 15
    Initialism of direct action. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, initialism, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    Abbreviation of disassociate. Jehovah's-Witnesses, abbreviation, alt-of
Adjective
  1. 1
    Initialism of double action. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, not-comparable
Intj
  1. 1
    Yes. Russianism, slang
  2. 2
    A meaningless syllable used when singing a tune or indicating a rhythm.

    "You know that tune that goes "da da da di-dum di-dum"?"

Article
  1. 1
    Pronunciation spelling of the. alt-of, pronunciation-spelling

    "Da New York Times"

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    Initialism of Department of the Army. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
  2. 2
    A great serpent in the mythology of Dahomey.
  3. 3
    Initialism of Department of Agriculture. Philippines, abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
  4. 4
    Initialism of Democratic Alliance. South-Africa, abbreviation, alt-of, initialism

    "Once all the votes are counted, if the ANC remains below 50% it will be forced to enter a coalition with one or more parties. Depending on how low its support dips, it may need to form a deal with one of the larger opposition parties such as the DA or EFF to remain in power."

  5. 5
    The station code of Dhaka railway station in Bangladesh.
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    Initialism of doomsday argument. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism

Antonyms

nyetdefense attorneyto

Example

"Da Vinci could see farther than others."

Common questions

What does "da" mean?

Father.

What is a synonym for "da"?

Common synonyms include: absolutely, ag, all right, alright, amen, assuredly.

How do you use "da" in a sentence?

Da Vinci could see farther than others.

How do you pronounce "da"?

Pronounced /dɑː/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From child language; compare dad and dada.

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Russian да (da, “yes”). Doublet of too.

Etymology 3

Representing pronunciation of the in informal speech.

Etymology 4

Imitative.

More for "da"