jar

play

noun \ ˈjär \

Definition of jar

1 :a widemouthed container made typically of earthenware or glass

a pottery jar

a cookie jar

2 :as much as a jar will hold

ate an entire jar of pickles

—

jarful

play \ˈjär-ˌfu̇l\ noun

Examples of jar in a Sentence

The loss jarred his confidence in the team.
The earthquake jarred the tiles loose.
The tiles jarred loose in the earthquake.

Origin and Etymology of jar

Middle French jarre, from Old Occitan jarra, from Arabic jarra earthen water vessel

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1592

See Words from the same year

jar

verb

Definition of jar

jarred; jarring

intransitive verb

1 a :to have a harshly disagreeable or disconcerting effect

The noise jarred on her nerves.

a jarring experience

b :to make a harsh or discordant sound

winced as the iron gate jarred against the sidewalk

c :to be out of harmony

a course that jarred with his habitual feelings
—George Eliot

; specifically :bicker

2 :to undergo severe vibration

transitive verb

:to cause to jar: such as

a :to affect disagreeably :unsettle

The violent opposition jarred his resolve.

b :to make unstable or loose :shake

jar the ball free

—

jarringly

play \ˈjär-iŋ-lē\ adverb

See jar defined for English-language learners

See jar defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of jar

probably of imitative origin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1526

See Words from the same year

jar Synonyms

Synonyms

altercate, argufy, bicker, brabble, brawl, controvert, dispute, fall out, fight, hassle, argue, quarrel, quibble, row, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle

Antonyms

accord, blend, conform (to or with), fit, harmonize, match

Related Words

challenge, dare, defy; clash, contend, contest, tangle; cavil, fuss, nitpick; consider, debate, discuss; kick, object, protest

Near Antonyms

coexist, get along; accept, agree, assent, concur, consent

jar

noun

Definition of jar

1 a :a sudden or unexpected shake

jars and jolts

b :an unsettling shock

gave her nerves a jar

c :an unpleasant break or conflict in rhythm, flow, or transition

works persistently, swiftly, without jar
—Sinclair Lewis

2 a :a state or manifestation of discord or conflict

b :a harsh grating sound

Origin and Etymology of jar

see ²jar

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1537

See Words from the same year

jar

noun

Definition of jar

archaic

:the position of being ajar —usually used in the phrase on the jar

Origin and Etymology of jar

alteration of earlier char turn, from Middle English — more at chare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1674

See Words from the same year

JAR Defined for English Language Learners

jar

play

verb

Definition of jar for English Language Learners

: to have a harsh or unpleasant effect on someone or something
: to hit or shake (something) forcefully
: to make (someone) feel uneasy

JAR Defined for Kids

jar

play

noun \ ˈjär \

Definition of jar for Students

1 :a usually glass or pottery container with a wide mouth

2 :the contents of a jar

We ate a jar of pickles.

jar

verb

Definition of jar for Students

jarred; jarring

1 :to shake or cause to shake hard

Jonas was jarred loose and thrown violently into the air.
—Lois Lowry, The Giver

2 :to have a disagreeable effect The music jarred on my ears.

jar

noun

Definition of jar for Students

1 :²jolt 1 They felt the jar of the plane landing.

2 :²shock 1

… the sound of his voice went through me with a jar.
—Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped

Learn More about jar

See words that rhyme with jar Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for jar Spanish Central: Translation of jar Nglish: Translation of jar for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of jar for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up jar? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

jar

Definition of jar

jarful

From the M-W Editors

Examples of jar in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of jar

jar

Definition of jar

jarringly

Origin and Etymology of jar

jar Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

jar

Definition of jar

Origin and Etymology of jar

jar

Definition of jar

Origin and Etymology of jar

JAR Defined for English Language Learners

jar

Definition of jar for English Language Learners

JAR Defined for Kids

jar

Definition of jar for Students

jar

Definition of jar for Students

jar

Definition of jar for Students

Learn More about jar

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066