Crossword Genius

How can a door be this? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ajar

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'door be this?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun but the answer is not.

'how can a' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'jar' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ajar that I've seen before include "Partly open" , "It's nearly open" , "A little bit open, like door" , "Not to answer" , "Mourn" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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