anorak

noun

an·​o·​rak ˈa-nə-ˌrak 

1

: a usually pullover hooded jacket long enough to cover the hips

2

British, informal : a person who is extremely enthusiastic about and interested in something that other people find boring

Bale's book is scholarly, immensely detailed and aimed squarely at political anoraks.

—The Sunday Business Post

Examples of anorak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This packable pullover anorak is designed specifically for travel, thanks to its lightweight material that can be rolled up into its hand pocket for an easy-carry pouch that fits into a hiking backpack or tote bag. —Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025

Sporty Outerwear Nylon anoraks and all the utility outerwear kept the lifestyle vibing. —Alex Badia, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025

Both of them wore their stocking caps pulled down beneath the hoods of their anoraks. —Ann Patchett, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

Expect to find everything from boat shoes to anoraks with designs informed by the Strider 13 maxi-RIB. —Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Norwegian, Danish or German, borrowed from Greenlandic Inuit annoraaq, name for a hooded outer garment originally made of skin; (sense 2) from the alleged popularity of anoraks as outerwear among such people

Note: The word was initially circulated in English through translations of accounts of polar expeditions, particularly those by Fridtjof nansen, who also wrote about the lives and culture of Greenland Inuit.

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for anorak

• almanac
• camelback
• cardiac
• carryback
• cluniac
• diamondback
• lumberjack
• maniac
• paperback
• piggyback
• quarterback
• saddleback