jar

[ jahr ]

/ dʒɑr /

verb (used without object), jarred, jar·ring.

to have a harshly unpleasant or perturbing effect on one's nerves, feelings, thoughts, etc.: The sound of the alarm jarred.

to produce a harsh, grating sound; sound discordantly.

to vibrate audibly; rattle: The window jarred in the frame.

to vibrate or shake.

to conflict, clash, or disagree.

verb (used with object), jarred, jar·ring.

to cause to rattle or shake.

to have a sudden and unpleasant effect upon (the feelings, nerves, etc.): The burglary violently jarred their sense of security.

to cause to sound harshly or discordantly.

noun

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

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

a harsh, grating sound.

a discordant sound or combination of sounds.

a quarrel or disagreement, especially a minor one.

Nearby words

japurá, japygid, jaques, jaques-dalcroze, jaques-dalcroze, émile, jar, jarabe tapatío, jarash, jardin anglais, jardiniere, jardinière

Origin of jar

1520–30; probably imitative; cf. chirr

Related formsjar·ring·ly, adverbun·jarred, adjectiveun·jar·ring, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for jarringly

The artificiality of the TV show, when paired with the growing intimacy between the cast members, was often jarringly surreal.
The Surreal Genius of Bravo’s Rich Kids Docudrama ‘NYC Prep’|Amy Zimmerman|April 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They sign off—jarringly, with a forced smile, reminiscent of his December 2000 concession speech: “Hope to see you soon.”
Behind the Gores' Shocking Split|Lloyd Grove|June 2, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Silverman's big break came with a cameo in 2005's The Aristocrats, when she told a jarringly bawdy version of the famous joke.
Sarah Silverman on Getting Old and Having Kids|Rebecca Dana|April 19, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Jarringly, both Drew and Jill seemed complicit with the producers rather than with us, the patients.
Is Dr. Drew a Phony?|Duncan Roy|December 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Yet so convincingly does Sidibe play the part that meeting the actress for the first time is jarringly surreal.
The Powerful Force at the Center of Precious|Nicole LaPorte|November 2, 2009|DAILY BEAST
His voice, high-pitched and jarringly loud for the occasion, suddenly broke off.
Mother|Maksim Gorky
Still they played, jarringly, for that was their untutored wont.
Meadow Grass|Alice Brown
And then, as they neared the church, the clang of the bells burst forth loudly and jarringly.
Vera Nevill|Mrs. H. Lovett Cameron
But at Orange their sparkle vanished, and they were jarringly out of place.
The Christmas Kalends of Provence|Thomas A. Janvier
All about Smoke men tripped and fell, and several times he pitched forward himself, jarringly, on hands and knees.
Smoke Bellew|Jack London

British Dictionary definitions for jarringly (1 of 3)

jar

/ (dʒɑː) /

noun

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

Also: jarful the contents or quantity contained in a jar

British informal a glass of alcoholic drink, esp beerto have a jar with someone

obsolete a measure of electrical capacitance

Word Origin for jar

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

British Dictionary definitions for jarringly (2 of 3)

jar

/ (dʒɑː) /

verb jars, jarring or jarred

to vibrate or cause to vibrate

to make or cause to make a harsh discordant sound

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

(intr) to disagree; clash

noun

a jolt or shock

a harsh discordant sound

Derived Formsjarring, adjectivejarringly, adverb

Word Origin for jar

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

British Dictionary definitions for jarringly (3 of 3)

jar

/ (dʒɑː) /

noun

on a jar or on the jar (of a door) slightly open; ajar

Word Origin for jar

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

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

Word Origin and History for jarringly (1 of 2)

jar

1520s, "to make a harsh, grating sound," usually said to be echoic or imitative, but no one explains how, or of what. Figurative sense of "have an unpleasant effect on" is from 1530s; that of "cause to vibrate or shake" is from 1560s. Related: Jarred; jarring.

Word Origin and History for jarringly (1 of 2)

jar

"cylindrical vessel," early 15c., possibly from Middle French jarre "liquid measure" (smaller than a barrel), 12c., from Provençal jarra, from Arabic jarrah "earthen water vessel" (whence also Spanish jarra, Italian giarra) [Klein].