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View synonyms for jar

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, jar·ring.
  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, jar·ring.
  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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a jolt or shock
  2. a harsh discordant sound
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

jar

2

/ dʒɑː /

noun

  1. on a jar or on the jar
    (of a door) slightly open; ajar
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

jar

3

/ dʒɑː /

noun

  1. a wide-mouthed container that is usually cylindrical, made of glass or earthenware, and without handles
  2. Alsojarful 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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈjarring, adjective
  • ˈjarringly, adverb
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Other Words From

  • jarless adjective
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of jar1

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

Origin of jar2

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

Origin of jar3

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

Idioms
  1. on the jar, partly opened; ajar:

    The window was on the jar.

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Example Sentences

Scientists at Cranfield University then said in August this year that they had found a way to detect fake honey products without opening the jar.

From BBC

The team found that a heightened risk of a jarring flight extended more than 55 miles away from a thunderstorm, which is roughly three times the storm-avoidance distance currently recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration.

It’s a jarring sight, but oarfish are anything but dangerous.

In the background, a jarring chorus of voices echoed, “Arrest her, arrest her!”

From BBC

When I'm in the bell jar, as I majorly have been for the last two months, the more I sit around and just wallow in sadness, the worse I feel.

From Salon

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Related Words

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.

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