polar
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for polar, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to, or near, the North or South Pole.
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.
Antonyms
How to use polar
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
polar bear
polar opposite
polar ice cap
polar molecule
Etymology
From Latin polaris, from polus, "pole" — ultimately from Greek polos.
Full origin of polar →Frequently asked questions
What does “polar” mean?
The word “polar” means relating to, or near, the North or South Pole. In plain terms, relating to the North or South Pole, to opposite electrical charge in molecules, or to completely opposite positions.
How do you pronounce “polar”?
“Polar” is pronounced POH-luh (/ˈpoʊlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “polar” in a sentence?
Here is “polar” used in a sentence: “Polar bears are perfectly adapted to the Arctic cold.”
What part of speech is “polar”?
“Polar” is an adjective.
Where does the word “polar” come from?
The word “polar” comes from Latin. From Latin polaris, from polus, "pole" — ultimately from Greek polos.
Is “polar” a common word?
“Polar” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “polar” have?
“Polar” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to, or near, the North or South Pole.
What is the difference between "polar" and "arctic"?
"Polar" relates to either the North or South Pole and the regions around them. "Arctic" refers specifically to the North Pole region, while the Antarctic covers the South. So all arctic areas are polar, but polar can also mean antarctic.
What is the difference between a polar and a nonpolar molecule?
In chemistry, polar describes a molecule with an uneven distribution of electrical charge, giving it a slightly positive end and a slightly negative end, as in water. A nonpolar molecule has its charge spread evenly; this difference affects how substances dissolve, since polar and nonpolar substances tend not to mix.
