Ar Fad

About this phrase

Ar is a simple preposition that means on. It usually lenites except in certain set phrases, of which this is one.

Fad is a masculine noun that means length, distance, duration, extent.

Thus, ar fad: entirely, altogether, all ⁊rl…

Similar phrases

Similar phrases, broadly interchangeable with ar fad, include go léir (particularly in Munster) and uile (Connacht).

In naturalistic speech be careful with the pronunciation of uile:

  • Where it occurs before the subject it is pronounced, /il′ɪ/ (not /il′ˈa/): gach uile duine: every single person.
  • But when it occurs after the subject it gains a terminal 'g', becoming /il′ˈyug/ in Connacht and /ˈil′ɪg′/ in Munster: na daoine uilli(u)g: all the people.