Are is the plural and the second person singular of the present tense of the verb be1. Are is often shortened to -'re after pronouns in spoken English.
English Easy Learning GrammarBeThe verb be is used as an auxiliary verb and it can also be used as a main verb. SeeTypes of main verb. The verb be is irregular. It has eight different ... Read more
are in British English1
(ɑː, unstressed ə)
verb
the plural form of the present tense (indicative mood) of the verb 'be' and the singular form used with you
Word origin
Old English aron, second person plural of bēon to be
are in British English2
(ɑː)
noun
a unit of area equal to 100 sq metres or 119.599 sq yards; one hundredth of a hectare
Symbol: a
Word origin
C19: from French, from Latin ārea piece of level ground; see area
ARE in American English
Arab Republic of Egypt
are in American English1
(ɑr; unstressed, ər)
verb intransitive
pl. & 2d pers. sing., pres. indic., of
be
Word origin
OE (Northumbrian) aron < base found also in am & UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
are in American English2
(ær; ɑr)
noun
the basic unit of land area in the metric system, equal to 100 square meters or 0.01 hectare (119.6 square yards or 0.0247 acre): abbrev. a
Word origin
Fr < L area: see area
Examples of 'are' in a sentence
are
Each is headed by its own president whose headquarters are within his territory.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
The vibes coming out so far are that we look like a real team and we enjoy playing together.
The Sun (2012)
This implies that sometimes they do, but neglects to say which these are.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The database costs 1 per inquiry and uses details it says are in the public domain.
The Sun (2009)
Most of the 12 who have been charged so far are current or former members of politicalparties currently in opposition.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Its own are due today.
The Sun (2006)
Experts were still trying last night to work out what the mystery 30ft washed-up remains are.
The Sun (2011)
The headquarters are in Stoke with another campus in Stafford.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The charity's headquarters are in London and there are eight offices around the country.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Sky's headquarters are in an ugly business park in the anonymous western outskirts of London.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Its headquarters are in the Republic of Ireland.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Its headquarters are in London but the bank conducts most of its business in Asia.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Its headquarters are at Epsom in Surrey.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Word lists with
are
Metric system
All related terms of 'are'
be
You use be with a present participle to form the continuous tenses of verbs.
bist
to have presence in the realm of perceived reality ; exist; live
chances are…
it is likely (that)…
here we are
You say ' here we are ' when you have just found something that you have been looking for.
how are you?
what is your state of health ?
right you are
If someone says ' right you are ', they are agreeing to do something in a very willing and happy way.
(the) odds are
the likelihood is
there you are
an expression used when handing a person something requested or desired
all bets are off
said to mean that it is impossible to say how a particular situation may develop
assets are worth
The assets of a company or a person are all the things that they own.
attacks are rare
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
jokes are funny
A joke is something that is said or done to make you laugh , for example a funny story.
odds are against
If you say that the odds are against something or someone, you mean that they are unlikely to succeed .
prisons are full
A prison is a building where criminals are kept as punishment or where people accused of a crime are kept before their trial .
rumours are rife
A rumour is a story or piece of information that may or may not be true, but that people are talking about.
(the) chances are
the likelihood is
there you are/go
You say ' there you are ' or ' there you go ' when you are offering something to someone.
details are available
The details of something are its individual features or elements.
details are correct
The details of something are its individual features or elements.
donations are welcome
A donation is something which someone gives to a charity or other organization.
experts are divided
An expert is a person who is very skilled at doing something or who knows a lot about a particular subject.
my lips are sealed
If you tell someone that your lips are sealed , you are promising them that you will keep a secret that they have told you.
qualities are evident
You can describe a particular characteristic of a person or thing as a quality .
ready when you are
If you say to someone ' Ready when you are ', you are telling them that you are now ready to do something and that as soon as they are ready, you will do it.
soldiers are wounded
A soldier is a person who works in an army, especially a person who is not an officer.
the gloves are off
said to mean that people have decided to compete aggressively with each other
the knives are out
said to mean that people are feeling very angry or resentful towards someone, and are trying to cause problems for them
tongues are wagging
said to mean that people are gossiping as a result of someone's behaviour
how are you keeping?
how are you?
the public are ready
You can refer to people in general , or to all the people in a particular country or community , as the public .
your hands are tied
If you say that your hands are tied , you mean that something is preventing you from acting in the way that you want to.
one's ears are burning
one is aware of being the topic of another's conversation
someone's hands are tied
said to mean that something such as a law is preventing someone from acting in the way that they want to
someone's lips are sealed
said to mean that someone will keep a secret that someone else has told them
the public are interested
You can refer to people in general, or to all the people in a particular country or community , as the public .
the wheels are turning
said to mean that a process or situation is continuing to develop and progress
what are you playing at?
If you ask what someone is playing at , you are angry because you think they are doing something stupid or wrong .
when the chips are down
If you say that something happens when the chips are down , you mean it happens when a situation gets very difficult.
all eyes are on something
If you say that all eyes are on something or that the eyes of the world are on something, you mean that everyone is paying careful attention to it and what will happen .
champagne corks are popping
people are celebrating
kick you when you are down
If you say that someone kicks you when you are down , you think they are behaving unfairly because they are attacking you when you are in a weak position .
someone's days are numbered sth's days are numbered
If you say that someone's or something's days are numbered , you mean that they will not survive or be successful for much longer.
someone's ears are burning
said about someone who other people are talking about
the battle lines are drawn
If you say that the battle lines are drawn between opposing groups or people, you mean that they are ready to start fighting or arguing , and that it has become clear what the main points of conflict or disagreement will be.
the knives are out for someone
If a lot of people want something unpleasant to happen to someone, for example if they want them to lose their job , you can say that the knives are out for that person.
there are no flies on me
I am no fool
the sands are running out
there is not much time left before death or the end
the way things are going
You can use the way things are going to indicate that you expect something to happen because of the way the present situation is developing .
what are you waiting for
If you say to someone ' What are you waiting for? ' you are telling them to hurry up and do something.
the odds are in sb's favour
If you say that the odds are in someone's favour , you mean that they are likely to succeed in what they are doing.