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Glite Dictionary
a fortiori

a fortiori

1 9.9
For an even stronger reason, so it is more certain
  • idiom
  • /ə fɔrˈtiːɔːraɪ/
  • Formal
: a fortiori
  • She was upset about missing the meeting and, a fortiori, about not being informed beforehand.

Examples

  • If the first proposal was rejected, a fortiori the second, weaker one will be as well.

  • If John cannot solve the problem, then a fortiori it is unlikely anyone else can.

  • If he can run a marathon, then I can do it, a fortiori.

  • The evidence suggests that she is guilty; a fortiori, the accomplice must be too.

  • If the rules apply to adults, a fortiori, they should also apply to children.

  • The team's performance in the playoffs was impressive; a fortiori, they should secure a spot in the finals.

  • She is an expert in marine biology, so a fortiori, her opinions on environmental policies should be taken seriously.

Antonyms

much less
146 3.9

Shows that something is even less likely or possible than what came before

How Certain

certainly
∞ 1.0
a fortiori
  • Formal
1 9.9
probably
∞ 1.0
arguably
126 4.4

Surface Forms

a fortiori positive

Morphology

a + fortiori

This is a Latin loan phrase whose 'constituent' tokens ('a' and 'fortiori') are not productive English words whose meanings would combine to yield 'with even greater reason' for a B1 learner. The expression is a set, abstract logical formula used in formal register and cannot be predicted from its parts, so learners would need explicit instruction.

Etymology

The adverb a fortiori comes from Latin and literally means 'from the stronger'. Imagine two people: if the stronger person cannot do something, then a fortiori the weaker person cannot. So the phrase means 'with even more reason' or 'all the more so'.