Arctic
Americanadjective
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Sometimes arctic of, relating to, or located at or near the North Pole.
the Arctic region.
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Sometimes arctic coming from the North Pole or the Arctic region.
an Arctic wind.
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Often arctic suitable for use in the Arctic.
Arctic boots.
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Usually arctic characteristic of the extremely cold, snowy, windy weather north of the Arctic Circle; frigid; bleak.
an arctic winter.
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arctic, extremely cold in manner, atmosphere, etc..
a look of arctic disdain.
noun
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the Arctic, the region lying north of the Arctic Circle or of the northernmost limit of tree growth; the polar area north of the timberline.
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arctics, warm, waterproof overshoes.
adjective
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of or relating to the Arctic
arctic temperatures
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informal cold; freezing
the weather at Christmas was arctic
noun
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a high waterproof overshoe with buckles
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(modifier) designed or suitable for conditions of extreme cold
arctic clothing
noun
adjective
Discover More
The weather of the Arctic is characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers.
The Arctic has been the object of much exploration by air, land, and sea. The shortest distance by plane between continents in the Northern Hemisphere is often over the Arctic.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of Arctic
First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikós “northern,” literally, “of the Bear,” equivalent to árkt(os), “bear” ( see Ursa Major) + -ikos -ic; replacing Middle English artik, from Middle French artique, from Latin
Explanation
If the weatherman warns of arctic conditions, get out your thermal underwear, hats, and gloves. It's going to be cold. The word arctic describes frigid and inhospitable weather. The word arctic refers to the Arctic Circle — the North Pole and the land that surrounds it — which is the northernmost major circle of latitude on the Earth. When you think of the word arctic, imagine the weather at the North Pole, cold and windy, suitable only for hearty animals and mythical toy-making elves. Bundle up for the arctic blast heading down from Canada towards the U.S.!
Vocabulary lists containing arctic
Wintry Words
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Blizzard! Words to Learn on a Snow Day
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Chill Out! Synonyms for "Cold"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The project sits almost 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle and near the Northwest Passage, a nautical sea route through Canada’s polar region that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
Agnico Eagle has given the go ahead to a big gold project in Canada’s Arctic, tapping into elevated prices for the precious metal and the government’s ambitions to develop a region with increasing strategic importance.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
Anand pointed at areas such as tackling Russian activities in the Arctic as important for NATO's focus -- and a region where her country has a major role to play.
From Barron's • May 11, 2026
Both scientists are based in Tromsø, Arctic Norway.
From Science Daily • May 10, 2026
Because what was happening in the Arctic couldn’t stay in the Arctic.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.