another
- 1One more, in addition to those already there; a second or further one of the same kind.
She has written another book.
Can we stay for another day?
Usageanother + singular noun (not
incorrect: an another), or + a number and plural noun as one amount: another ten minutes.Note
An and other fused into one word, which is why it never takes a second article: nobody says "an another."
- 2A different one; some other one of the same kind, rather than this one or the first.
That is another matter entirely.
She moved to another town.
UsageBefore a plural noun use other: other towns (not
incorrect: another towns).Note
Here the "other" half carries the weight of difference. Another way to do this job is not a second way piled on top of the first but an alternative to it. The same spelling serves the "one more" meaning, so context does the sorting. When a sentence could go either way, a different way or a different town removes the doubt, while another point of view naturally reads as a fresh angle.
- 3Used on its own in place of a noun: someone or something other than the one just mentioned, as in from one place to another or one way or another.
This road is blocked, so we will take another.
If the plan fails, we need another.
- 4Used on its own in place of a noun: one more of the same thing, as in 'That cake was good; can I have another?'
If you finish that puzzle, I have another.
He ate one biscuit and reached for another.
UsageOften paired with one: she finished one cup and poured another.
Note
The noun has dropped out because earlier words or the situation already supply it: at a table, "bring me another" can mean another napkin. Whether it means one more or a different one is left entirely to context.
Less common meaning
- 5Placed before the name of someone or something famous to describe a person or thing that closely resembles them.
Reviewers hailed the twelve-year-old composer as another Mozart.
City leaders hope the old warehouse district will turn into another Silicon Valley.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
On its surface it is simply "an" + "other"; the word itself goes back to Middle English "another."