ala
ala — abbreviation
1. the written abbreviation for Alabama, a state in the southeastern United States
the written abbreviation for Alabama, a state in the southeastern United States
The package was shipped from Birmingham, ALA, and arrived two days later.
ALA as postal abbreviation in an address
Hyun moved to Montgomery, ALA, for a new job at the hospital.
Dothan, ALA, is famous for its giant peanut statue in the town centre.
Ramón checked the weather forecast for Mobile, ALA, before his trip.
Beatrix visits her childhood home in Huntsville, ALA, every spring.
用法筆記
Written abbreviation; always spelled with capital letters. Used mainly in addresses and official documents.
常見錯誤
2. the written abbreviation for the American Library Association, a professional or
the written abbreviation for the American Library Association, a professional organization for librarians in the United States
Noor attended the ALA conference in Chicago and met hundreds of fellow librarians.
ALA + conference: professional event context
The ALA published a colourful handbook on hosting bilingual story time for Spanish-speaking families.
Baraka has been an ALA member since she joined the public library.
The school used its ALA grant to turn a dusty storage room into a bright reading nook.
Putri presented her research on digital archives at the ALA annual meeting.
用法筆記
Written abbreviation used in professional library contexts. Always written in capital letters.
ala — noun
- alasingular
- alasplural
1. a flat, wing-like piece of a living organism, such as a section of bone in the b
a flat, wing-like piece of a living organism, such as a section of bone in the body or a part of an insect
The butterfly's left ala was torn after it brushed against a thorny bush.
Rohan learned that the ala of the nose is soft cartilage, not bone.
ala of the nose: common anatomical collocation
The bird stretched its right ala before taking off from the low branch.
Dr. Sivan traced the ala of the hip bone with a yellow marker on the classroom whiteboard.
A crack in the ala of the vertebra appeared clearly on the X-ray.
- wing
Everyday term for the same shape; 'ala' is the formal, technical word used in scientific writing.
用法筆記
Technical term used in anatomy and biology. Most commonly appears in phrases such as 'ala of the nose' or 'ala of the ilium.'
常見錯誤
ala — preposition
1. used before a name to show that something copies the style of that person, artis
used before a name to show that something copies the style of that person, artist, or film-maker
The film's opening scene was shot ala Hitchcock, with long shadows and sharp angles.
ala + [famous name] for artistic style
Adina cooked a simple pasta dish ala her grandmother's old recipe from Naples.
The new library has a curved roof ala Gaudí, with bright tiles everywhere.
Matthew wrote the ending of his novel ala Hemingway — short, plain, and unforgettable.
The jazz trio played ala Miles Davis, with long pauses and soft notes.
- à la
The full French phrase; more formal and widely used in food and fashion contexts.
- in the style of
More explicit and formal; preferred in serious academic or critical writing.
- after
Used in visual arts to mean 'in imitation of' (e.g. 'a painting after Rembrandt').
文法句型
ala + [person's name or distinctive style]
用法筆記
Often used in writing about arts, food, and fashion. Less formal than the full French phrase 'à la.' Not usually followed by a dish name (use 'à la' or 'alla' for recipes).