tarmac
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for tarmac, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A tar-based surfacing material used on roads, or the road surface itself.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use tarmac
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Shortened from "tarmacadam" (tar + macadam, a road surface made of crushed stone); originally a trademark named after its inventor, Edgar Hooley.
Full origin of tarmac →Frequently asked questions
What does “tarmac” mean?
The word “tarmac” means a tar-based surfacing material used on roads, or the road surface itself. In plain terms, the paved surface of roads or airports, or, as a verb, to sit waiting on that surface before takeoff.
How do you pronounce “tarmac”?
“Tarmac” is pronounced TAH-mak (/ˈtɑː(ɹ)mæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “tarmac” in a sentence?
Here is “tarmac” used in a sentence: “Fresh tarmac had just been laid on the high street.”
What part of speech is “tarmac”?
Depending on how it is used, “tarmac” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “tarmac” have?
“Tarmac” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tar-based surfacing material used on roads, or the road surface itself.