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

• icy
• freezing
• frigid
• cold
• chilly
• chill
• cool
• polar

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

Surprisingly, several glaciers are hidden in the mountains (four were only just discovered in 2010), along with numerous relict arctic plants from the last ice age. —Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025

But Steve Considine, a National Weather Service meteorologist in White Lake Township, warned that the report does suggest occasional bone-chilling arctic blasts and possibly more snow or rain than usual. —Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 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

Scientists expressed grave concerns about the increasing frequency of the fires brought about by climate change in the Siberian arctic. —Heather Chen, CNN, 16 Jan. 2023

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