noun
oar
aw
Oar (noun) means a long pole with a flat blade used to row or steer a boat. Example: “He dipped the oar into the water and pulled hard.”
noun
1
A long pole with a flat blade used to row or steer a boat.
"He dipped the oar into the water and pulled hard."
verb
1
To row using oars.
"Turning the long tables upside down — and there were twelve of them — they seated themselves, one behind another, within the upturned table tops as though they were boats and were about to oar their way into some fabulous ocean."
— Mervyn Peake, Gormenghast (1950)
"They oared their way across the lake at dawn."
How to use oar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe pole-and-blade tool used to propel a rowing boat, or the act of rowing with one.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "or" (conjunction) or "ore" (metal-bearing rock) — all three are pronounced alike.
Common pairings
pull an oar
row with oars
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Word forms
- Plural
- oars
- Third person singular
- oars
- Past tense
- oared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He dipped the _____ into the water and pulled hard.
Etymology
From Old English ar, from Proto-Germanic airo, meaning "oar".
Rhymes for oar
See all rhymes for oar →Frequently asked questions
What does “oar” mean?
The word “oar” means a long pole with a flat blade used to row or steer a boat. In plain terms, the pole-and-blade tool used to propel a rowing boat, or the act of rowing with one.
How do you pronounce “oar”?
“Oar” is pronounced aw (/oɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “oar” in a sentence?
Here is “oar” used in a sentence: “He dipped the oar into the water and pulled hard.”
What part of speech is “oar”?
Depending on how it is used, “oar” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “oar” come from?
The word “oar” comes from Old English. From Old English ar, from Proto-Germanic airo, meaning "oar".
How many meanings does “oar” have?
“Oar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long pole with a flat blade used to row or steer a boat.
