par
9 synonyms for par, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A standard or average level considered normal or acceptable.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use par
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
below par
on par with
par for the course
above par
Etymology
From French par ("through, by"), from Latin per.
Full origin of par →Frequently asked questions
What does “par” mean?
The word “par” means a standard or average level considered normal or acceptable. In plain terms, a standard or expected level — used generally ("below par"), in golf scoring, and in finance for face value.
How do you pronounce “par”?
“Par” is pronounced pah (/pɑɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “par” in a sentence?
Here is “par” used in a sentence: “His performance this quarter was below par.”
What part of speech is “par”?
“Par” is a noun.
Where does the word “par” come from?
The word “par” comes from Latin. From French par ("through, by"), from Latin per.
Is “par” a common word?
“Par” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “par” have?
“Par” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a standard or average level considered normal or acceptable.
What is the difference between 'par' and 'average'?
'Par' refers to an expected or accepted standard against which things are judged, while 'average' is a statistical middle point of a set of values. Something can be at par (meeting the normal standard) without being calculated as a mathematical average.
