arctic

1 of 2

adjective

arc·​tic ˈärk-tik  ˈär-tik 

1

often capitalized : of, relating to, or suitable for use at the north pole or the region near it

arctic waters

arctic animals

arctic clothing

2

a

: bitter cold : frigid

arctic air

b

: cold in temper or mood

an arctic smile

arctically

ˈärk-ti-k(ə-)lē

ˈär-ti- 

adverb

arctic

2 of 2

noun

arc·​tic ˈär-tik  ˈärk-tik 

: a rubber overshoe reaching to the ankle or above

Synonyms

Adjective

• algid
• bitter
• bone-chilling
• chill
• chilly
• cold
• coldish
• cool
• coolish
• freezing
• frigid
• frosty
• gelid
• glacial
• ice-cold
• icy
• nipping
• nippy
• numbing
• polar
• shivery
• snappy
• wintry
• wintery

Examples of arctic in a Sentence

Adjective

The group is involved in Arctic exploration.

the arctic air of deep winter

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

President Donald Trump’s recent calls for the U.S. to acquire control of the large arctic island have put it in the spotlight. —Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025

An arctic blast of cold air will make temperatures 25 to 35 degrees below average across the northern Rockies to the upper Great Lakes and the central High Plains, prompting an extreme cold weather warning, the National Weather Service said. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2025

Noun

The Willow project — ConocoPhillips’s controversial drilling plan in the Alaskan arctic — got the green light. —Brady Dennis, Washington Post, 23 July 2024

This riven Martian arctic was a mystery to scientists for over forty years. —Joseph Calamia, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English artik, from Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikos, from arktos bear, Ursa Major, north; akin to Latin ursus bear, Sanskrit ṛkṣa

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1868, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing arctic

• arctic char
• arctic circle
• arctic fox
• arctic hare
• arctic tern

Rhymes for arctic

• antarctic
• holarctic
• subarctic
• palaearctic
• palearctic
• subantarctic

Kids Definition

arctic

1 of 2 adjective

arc·​tic ˈärk-tik  ˈärt-ik 

1

often capitalized : of, relating to, or suitable for use at the north pole or the region around it

arctic waters

arctic animals

arctic clothing

2

: very cold : frigid

arctic

2 of 2 noun

arc·​tic ˈärt-ik  ˈärk-tik 

: a rubber overshoe : galosh

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English artik "arctic," derived from Greek arktikos "arctic," from Arktos "the Bear," name of the most easily recognizable constellation near the north pole of the sky