anorak

noun an·o·rak \ ˈa-nə-ˌrak \

|Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of anorak

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

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Recent Examples of anorak from the Web

For the second role play of the evening, Tingook pulls on the bear’s white anorak and disappears into the night.

— eva holland, Smithsonian, "Where the Doomed, Beloved Polar Bear Is Still a Dangerous Predator," 16 May 2018
Some of her most popular pieces, including Jimmy Paulette & Misty in a Taxi, NYC and Nan as a dominatrix, Cambridge MA 1978, will be re-created on sweatshirts, anoraks, skateboards, and T-shirts for Supreme.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "Supreme Announces a Genuinely Unexpected Collaboration," 26 Mar. 2018
Raf Simons gave us balaclavas and hazmat suits at Calvin Klein, while Alexander Wang put his boss ladies in scuba suits and anoraks.

— brooke bobb, Vogue, "How Will Women Dress in 2018? Look to Mildred Hayes in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," 1 Mar. 2018
The New England brand's version of anorak, it's built out of lightweight material, full of pockets and pouches and has got a timeless design.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Today's Best Deals: Things Won't Break in a Pelican Case," 30 Apr. 2018
This frustrates me, because my definition of an audiophile is simply someone who wants to enjoy music at its best, not an electrical engineering anorak.

— vlad savov, The Verge, "The Chord Hugo 2 is the worst kind of audiophile equipment," 24 Apr. 2018
Also in the mix are a wool varsity jacket, a nylon anorak and track pant printed with a reflective pattern, sweatshirts, sweat shorts, caps, and a waist bag and shoulder bag.

— ingrid schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, "Style Notes: Isabella Rossellini on Returning to Lancome; Hood By Air Designer Teams with Longchamp," 17 Apr. 2018
Try wearing a lightweight anorak with a shirt and tie, cropped chinos and (sockless) loafers.

— noah zagor, chicagotribune.com, "How men can pull off summer's biggest trends," 4 Apr. 2018
Kirk Wallace Johnson’s new book The Feather Thief is a veritable Mental ward of anoraks—explorers, naturalists, gumshoes, dentists, musicians and salmon fly-tyers.

— franz lidz, Smithsonian, "The Great Feather Heist," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anorak.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of anorak

Dan, from Inuit (Greenland) annoraaq

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1877

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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ANORAK Defined for English Language Learners

anorak

noun

Definition of anorak for English Language Learners

: a jacket that has a hood and that is long enough to cover your hips
: a person who is extremely interested in something that other people find boring