# Ajax

/ˈeɪˌdʒæks/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ajax
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. web development

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

Stands for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML. It is a way to make websites update information without reloading the whole page.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML. A set of web development techniques using client-side technologies to create asynchronous web applications.

- The website uses Ajax to show new messages instantly without making you refresh the page.
- By implementing Ajax, the developers ensured that the user interface remained responsive while data was being fetched from the server in the background.

Usage: Usually written as 'Ajax' or 'AJAX'.

### 2. Greek mythology

noun · CEFR B2

a famous hero from Greek myths who fought in the Trojan War.

For teachers: Either of two legendary heroes in the Trojan War, known for their strength and courage in Homer's Iliad.

- In the story, Ajax was one of the strongest warriors on the Greek side.
- The tragedy by Sophocles focuses on the downfall of Ajax after he is denied the armour of the fallen Achilles.

### 3. football club

noun · CEFR B1

a famous professional football team based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

For teachers: A prominent Dutch professional football club based in Amsterdam, officially known as AFC Ajax.

- Ajax is well known for training many of the world's best young football players.
- The stadium was packed with fans wearing red and white to support Ajax in the European championship match.

### 4. a toilet

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Humorous

an old, very rare word for a toilet.

For teachers: An archaic term for a toilet or privy, often used as a pun on the name of the Greek hero.

- The tour guide pointed out where the old castle's ajax used to be.
- In Elizabethan literature, writers occasionally used 'ajax' as a crude pun to refer to a jakes or outdoor toilet.

### 5. nearby

preposition · CEFR C2 · Slang · British English · Dialect

a slang word meaning close by or over there.

For teachers: A prepositional term meaning nearby or adjacent, originating from Polari slang.

- He's standing just ajax the pub.
- The speaker used Polari terms like 'ajax' to communicate privately with friends in public spaces during the mid-twentieth century.

Teaching tip: This belongs to Polari, a coded language used historically by the British gay community and circus performers.

## Examples

- The app uses Ajax to load new posts.
- The website uses Ajax to update the shopping cart total instantly when you add an item.
- Modern single-page applications rely heavily on Ajax to fetch JSON data from APIs, ensuring a seamless user experience without the jarring interruptions of traditional page reloads.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.