polar
Polar (adj) means relating to, or near, the North or South Pole. Example: “Polar bears are perfectly adapted to the Arctic cold.”
How to use polar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to the North or South Pole, to opposite electrical charge in molecules, or to completely opposite positions.
Word forms
polars plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ bears are perfectly adapted to the Arctic cold.
Etymology
From Latin polaris, from polus, "pole" — ultimately from Greek polos.
Related words
Rhymes for polar
See all rhymes for 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.