arctic

1 of 2

adjective

arc·​tic ˈärk-tik  ˈär-tik 

1

often Arctic : 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 of arctic

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

As an arctic cold front moves over the tri-state area this weekend, with below zero wind chills forecasted with the possibility of more snow, the Mundys hope to get two more days of riding in. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026

Over 100 million people across the East Coast are on alert for a major arctic blast this weekend. —Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2026

Noun

Cerveny said this means that warm air from the tropics and subtropics moves northward over the western half of the country (making the Southwest hot) and cold air pours south from the arctic into the eastern half of the country (making the East cold). —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026

Some of that is to be expected, with mid-level arctic lows being some of the hardest systems to forecast more than 72 hours out. —Ron Smiley, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026

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