adj
Uncommon
Baltic
BOL-tihk
Baltic (adj) means relating to the Baltic Sea or the countries surrounding it. Example: “They took a Baltic cruise stopping in Tallinn and Riga.”
adj
1
Relating to the Baltic Sea or the countries surrounding it.
"The Teutonic Knights were newly established in the Baltic region, where they owed their first possessions to Mazovian policy."
— S. C. Rowell, Lithuania Ascending (1994)
"They took a Baltic cruise stopping in Tallinn and Riga."
2
Bitterly cold (British slang).
"It's absolutely baltic out there — wrap up warm."
How to use Baltic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to the Baltic Sea region, or (informal British slang) freezing cold.
UK vs US
The "freezing cold" slang sense is distinctly British and rare in American English.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more Baltic
- Superlative
- most Baltic
Fill the gap
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They took a _____ cruise stopping in Tallinn and Riga.
Etymology
From Latin Balticus, referring to peoples living near the Baltic Sea; the exact root of the name is debated.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “Baltic” mean?
The word “Baltic” means relating to the Baltic Sea or the countries surrounding it. In plain terms, relating to the Baltic Sea region, or (informal British slang) freezing cold.
How do you pronounce “Baltic”?
“Baltic” is pronounced BOL-tihk (/ˈbɔl.tɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “Baltic” in a sentence?
Here is “Baltic” used in a sentence: “They took a Baltic cruise stopping in Tallinn and Riga.”
What part of speech is “Baltic”?
“Baltic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “Baltic” come from?
The word “Baltic” comes from Latin. From Latin Balticus, referring to peoples living near the Baltic Sea; the exact root of the name is debated.
Is “Baltic” a common word?
“Baltic” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Baltic” have?
“Baltic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the Baltic Sea or the countries surrounding it.
What countries are considered the Baltic states?
The Baltic states typically refers to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, the countries bordering the Baltic Sea in northeastern Europe. The adjective 'Baltic' describes anything relating to this sea or the surrounding countries.
Why do British speakers say something is 'baltic' to mean cold?
In British slang, 'baltic' is used informally to mean bitterly cold, likely drawing on the association of the Baltic Sea region with harsh, freezing weather. This usage is distinct from the geographic sense relating to the Baltic Sea itself.
Is 'baltic' capitalized when it means bitterly cold?
Even in its informal slang sense meaning bitterly cold, 'Baltic' is generally still capitalized because it derives directly from the proper noun 'Baltic Sea.' Some casual or informal writing may lowercase it, but the capitalized form remains standard.
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