jar

¹

[jahr]

noun

1. a broad-mouthed container, usually cylindrical and of glass or earthenware.

   a cookie jar.

2. the quantity such a container can or does hold.

jar

²

[jahr]

verb (used without object)

jarred, jarring 

1. to have a harshly unpleasant or perturbing effect on one's nerves, feelings, thoughts, etc..

   The sound of the alarm jarred.

2. to produce a harsh, grating sound; sound discordantly.

3. to vibrate audibly; rattle.

   The window jarred in the frame.

4. to vibrate or shake.

5. to conflict, clash, or disagree.

verb (used with object)

jarred, jarring 

1. to cause to rattle or shake.

2. to have a sudden and unpleasant effect upon (the feelings, nerves, etc.).

   The burglary violently jarred their sense of security.

3. to cause to sound harshly or discordantly.

noun

1. a jolt or shake; a vibrating movement, as from concussion.

2. a sudden unpleasant effect upon the mind or feelings; shock.

3. a harsh, grating sound.

4. a discordant sound or combination of sounds.

5. a quarrel or disagreement, especially a minor one.

jar

³

[jahr]

noun

1. a turn or turning.

jar

¹

/ dʒɑː /

verb

1. to vibrate or cause to vibrate

2. to make or cause to make a harsh discordant sound

3. (often foll by on) to have a disturbing or painful effect (on the nerves, mind, etc)

4. (intr) to disagree; clash

noun

1. a jolt or shock

2. a harsh discordant sound

jar

²

/ dʒɑː /

noun

1. a wide-mouthed container that is usually cylindrical, made of glass or earthenware, and without handles

2. Also: jarful. the contents or quantity contained in a jar

3. informal,  a glass of alcoholic drink, esp beer

   to have a jar with someone

4. obsolete,  a measure of electrical capacitance

jar

³

/ dʒɑː /

noun

1. (of a door) slightly open; ajar

Other Word Forms

• jarless adjective
• unjarred adjective
• jarring adjective
• jarringly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of jar¹

First recorded in 1585–95; Middle English jarre “liquid measure smaller than a barrel,” possibly from Old French jarre, from Spanish or Portuguese jarra, jarro “a jar, pitcher,” or from Medieval Latin jarra, from Old Provençal jarra, from Arabic jarrah “earthen water vessel”

Origin of jar²

First recorded in 1520–30; probably imitative; chirr

Origin of jar³

First recorded in 1665–75; variant of char ³; ajar ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of jar¹

C16: probably of imitative origin; compare Old English cearran to creak

Origin of jar²

C16: from Old French jarre, from Old Provençal jarra, from Arabic jarrah large earthen vessel

Origin of jar³

C17 (in the sense: turn): from earlier char, from Old English cierran to turn; see _ajar ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the jar, partly opened; ajar.

   The window was on the jar.

Example Sentences

“Anytime it’s something I haven’t done before, it’s kind of weird and jarring, but also liberating,” he says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The filling is jammy and rich, jarred fig jam brightened with chopped dates and an almost scandalous amount of orange zest, so every mouthful tastes like autumn sunlight and just a hint of mischief.

Read more on Salon

The result is jarring and off-putting to look at, even if the participants seem to be having fun.

Read more on Barron's

Some retirees pay their adviser to reassure them that they can spend a certain amount without depleting their savings, even if crises or jarring surprises arise.

Read more on MarketWatch

Pretty much the only comestibles in stock are bags of candy and jars of baby food, which makes Jeffrey one of the first screen criminals to fret about tooth decay.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• basin 
• bottle 
• can 
• flask 
• jug 
• pot 
• urn 
• vase 
• vessel