par

¹

[pahr]

noun

1. Finance.

   1. the legally established value of the monetary unit of one country in terms of that of another using the same metal as a standard of value.

   2. the state of the shares of any business, undertaking, loan, etc., when they may be purchased at the original price issue par or at their face value nominal par.

2. an equality in value or standing; a level of equality.

   The gains and the losses are on a par.

3. an average, usual, or normal amount, degree, quality, condition, standard, or the like.

   above par;

   to feel below par.

4. Golf.,  the number of strokes set as a standard for a specific hole or a complete course.

adjective

1. average or normal.

2. Finance.,  at or pertaining to par.

   the par value of a bond.

verb (used with object)

parred, parring 

1. Golf.,  to equal par on (a hole or course).

par

²

[pahr]

adjective

Insurance.

1. of or relating to participating insurance.

par-

³

1. variant of para- before a vowel.

   parenchyma.

par.

⁴

abbreviation

1. paragraph.

2. parallel.

3. parenthesis.

4. parish.

par

¹

/ pɑː /

noun

1. an accepted level or standard, such as an average (esp in the phrase up to par )

2. a state of equality (esp in the phrase on a par with )

3. finance the established value of the unit of one national currency in terms of the unit of another where both are based on the same metal standard

4. commerce

   1. See par value

   2. the condition of equality between the current market value of a share, bond, etc, and its face value (the nominal par ). This equality is indicated by at par, while above ( or below ) par indicates that the market value is above (or below) face value

5. golf an estimated standard score for a hole or course that a good player should make

   par for the course was 72

6. not feeling or performing as well as normal

7. an expected or normal occurrence or situation

adjective

1. average or normal

2. (usually prenominal) commerce of or relating to par

   par value

par.

²

abbreviation

1. paragraph

2. parenthesis

3. parish

Par.

³

abbreviation

1. Paraguay

par-

⁴

prefix

1. a variant of para- 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of par¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin pār “matching, equal”

Origin of par²

Shortening of participating

Word History and Origins

Origin of par¹

C17: from Latin pār equal, on a level; see _peer ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at par, (of a share) purchasable at issue par or nominal par.

2. par for the course, exactly what one might expect; predictable; typical.

   They were late again, but that's par for the course.

More idioms and phrases containing par

• below par
• on a par with
• up to par

Example Sentences

Yet, on only four small walls, the artists featured in the area have put on powerful exhibitions that tell the region’s story while also making art on par with Marin’s collection.

From Los Angeles Times

While Team Europe's Ryder Cup stars toiled in the rain, the two overnight leaders could not be separated over 18 gruelling holes, finishing three shots clear of the rest on 19 under par.

From BBC

Critics, however, argue that is a long way from addressing decades of chronic underfunding and the funds required to bring women's health research on par with other areas of medicine.

From BBC

But a return of three trophies from that run felt below par.

From BBC

The United States lost a Pacific Four Series Test to reigning world champions New Zealand 79-14 in May, so England may consider this scoreline par for the course.

From BBC