Antarctic

American  

[ant-ahrk-tik, -ahr-tik] / æntˈɑrk tɪk, -ˈɑr tɪk /

adjective

1. Sometimes antarctic of, at, or near the South Pole.

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noun

1. the Antarctic, the continent of Antarctica along with the Southern Ocean.

Antarctic British  

/ æntˈɑːktɪk /

noun

1. Antarctica and the surrounding waters

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adjective

1. of or relating to the south polar regions

Antarctic Cultural  

1. The region around the South Pole, Antarctica, and the surrounding ocean.

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Etymology

Origin of Antarctic

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin antarcticus, from Greek antarktikós; replacing Middle English antartik or directly from Middle French, from Medieval Latin antarticus; see ant-, Arctic

Example Sentences

Together, these basins form a continent-scale fan-shaped pattern that researchers have named the East Antarctic Fan-shaped Basin Province.

From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2026

The East Antarctic Fan-shaped Basin Province may represent one of the largest examples of rotational extension ever identified within continental crust.

From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2026

According to the simulations, several processes worked together to accelerate Antarctic ice growth after the climate transition around one million years ago.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

Lower sea levels reduced pressure on the bedrock beneath Antarctic ice shelves, allowing the land underneath to slowly rise upward.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

Mr. Popper put down his book of Antarctic Adventures and moved hastily to the radio.

From "Mr. Popper's Penguins" by Florence Atwater and Richard Atwater

Related Words

• chilly
• freezing
• frosty
• frozen
• glacial
• ice-cold
• icy
• wintry