Quick Intro
a la definition is a small phrase with a big reputation, one that turns up in menus, movie reviews, and casual speech. People often see it written as ‘a la’ or as the single word ‘ala’, and that split causes a lot of confusion.
Read on for a clear, friendly take on what the phrase really means, where it comes from, how to use it, and the things people get wrong about it.
Table of Contents
What Does a la definition Mean?
The simplest a la definition is: in the style of, or in the manner of. In English usage that usually means ‘done like’ or ‘in the fashion of’ someone or something. It signals imitation, influence, or a particular way of presenting a thing.
So when you say ‘chicken a la king’, you mean chicken prepared in the manner associated with a dish called King, not that a King personally cooked it.
Etymology and Origin of a la definition
The phrase comes from French, specifically the preposition and article ‘à la’, literally ‘to the’ or ‘in the’. French uses it to link style or manner to a noun. English borrowed the phrase, keeping the sense but often dropping the accent marks.
If you want an authoritative reference, consult Merriam-Webster or the more detailed entry in the Encyclopaedia Britannica on culinary phrases. Oxford dictionaries also track usage and etymology well.
How a la definition Is Used in Everyday Language
Usage splits into a few common patterns. Sometimes it appears on menus to describe preparation. Other times it shows up in journalism, cultural criticism, or casual speech to compare styles.
On a menu: ‘Steak a la bordelaise’ means steak served with a Bordelaise sauce.
In criticism: ‘The director staged the film a la Hitchcock, with long takes and a steady dread.’
In casual talk: ‘She redecorated her apartment a la Scandinavian minimalism.’
In fashion writing: ‘He wore the suit a la 1970s tailoring.’
In playful use: ‘We had tacos a la Tuesday: cheap, messy, exactly what we needed.’
Those examples show how flexible the phrase is, and why it sits comfortably in both formal and informal registers.
a la definition in Different Contexts
On restaurant menus the phrase often signals a classic preparation, like ‘à la carte’ or ‘à la mode’. There it is a label for style or method. In written English, the phrase can take on a slightly ironic tone, implying imitation more than originality.
In academic or technical writing you will see it less, but it still appears when comparing methods or influences, for example ‘Modeling a la Bayesian inference’ to suggest using that style of reasoning. In pop culture it is used freely, sometimes without accents, sometimes with.
Common Misconceptions About a la definition
First mistake, people think ‘a la’ always needs the accent mark. In careful English writing you can keep ‘à la’, but many dictionaries accept the unaccented ‘a la’ as standard in English usage. The meaning does not change.
Second, some writers collapse it into ‘ala’ as one word. That is a different case. ‘Ala’ without space has separate entries in some dictionaries and is not the same as ‘a la’ meaning ‘in the style of’.
Third, people sometimes translate it as ‘according to’. That is not accurate. ‘According to’ attributes information to a source. ‘a la’ refers to manner or style.
Related Words and Phrases
There are many set phrases built from the same root. ‘À la carte’ means ordering individual items rather than a set menu. ‘À la mode’ originally meant fashionable in French, and in American English it often means served with ice cream. Writers borrow ‘a la’ to build playful expressions too.
For more on similar entries, see our pages on ala definition and cooking terms. If you want a broader look at borrowed phrases, try loanwords meaning.
Why a la definition Matters in 2026
Language is global and styles shift quickly. Knowing the a la definition helps you read menus, reviews, and social posts more precisely. It also helps writers signal tone with economy, a small phrase that carries cultural weight.
As international influences continue to shape English, borrowed phrases like ‘a la’ keep showing up in new contexts. Writers who understand the a la definition can use it accurately and with stylistic flair, without unintentionally sounding pretentious.
Closing
The a la definition is short and useful, a tiny linguistic tool for saying ‘in the manner of’. Use it on menus, in criticism, or casually when you want to point to a style. Keep the distinctions in mind about accents and spelling, and you will be fine.
If you want a quick dictionary take, check Merriam-Webster or Oxford. And for similar English usage notes, try our related posts above.