noun
Common
par
pah
Par (noun) means a standard or average level considered normal or acceptable. Example: “His performance this quarter was below par.”
noun
1
A standard or average level considered normal or acceptable.
"His performance this quarter was below par."
2
In golf, the number of strokes a skilled player is expected to need to complete a hole.
"It is a par four, so most players aim to finish it in four shots."
"He sank a long putt to make par on the final hole."
"She finished the round two under par."
3
Equal value, especially the face value of a stock or bond compared with its market price.
"The shares were issued at par but later fell below that value."
"A bond sold at par returns exactly its face value when it matures."
"The bonds were trading at par."
How to use par
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA standard or expected level — used generally ("below par"), in golf scoring, and in finance for face value.
Common mistake
"Par for the course" means exactly what's expected (often something annoying), not literally about golf.
Common pairings
below par
on par with
par for the course
above par
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Word forms
- Plural
- pars
- Third person singular
- pars
- Past tense
- parred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His performance this quarter was below _____.
Etymology
From French par ("through, by"), from Latin per.
Related words
Rhymes for par
See all rhymes for 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.
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