par

[ pahr ]

/ pɑr /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR par ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an equality in value or standing; a level of equality: The gains and the losses are on a par.

an average, usual, or normal amount, degree, quality, condition, standard, or the like: above par; to feel below par.

Golf. the number of strokes set as a standard for a specific hole or a complete course.

Finance.

the legally established value of the monetary unit of one country in terms of that of another using the same metal as a standard of value.
the state of the shares of any business, undertaking, loan, etc., when they may be purchased at the original price (issue par ) or at their face value (nominal par ).

at par, Finance. (of a share) purchasable at issue par or nominal par.

adjective

average or normal.

Finance. at or pertaining to par: the par value of a bond.

verb (used with object), parred, par·ring.

Golf. to equal par on (a hole or course).

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Question 1 of 10

What does “barren” mean?

a cylindrical wooden container with slightly bulging sides.

Worn down by dullness, tedious repetition.

unproductive; unfruitful

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Idioms for par

par for the course, exactly what one might expect; typical: They were late again, but that's par for the course.

Origin of par

First recorded in 1615–25, par is from the Latin word pār equal

Definition for par (2 of 4)

par²

[ pahr ]

/ pɑr /

adjective Insurance.

of or relating to participating insurance.

Origin of par

shortening of participating

Definition for par (3 of 4)

par-

variant of para-¹ before a vowel: parenchyma.

Definition for par (4 of 4)

par.

paragraph.

parallel.

parenthesis.

parish.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for par (1 of 4)

par

/ (pɑː) /

noun

an accepted level or standard, such as an average (esp in the phrase up to par)

a state of equality (esp in the phrase on a par with)

finance the established value of the unit of one national currency in terms of the unit of another where both are based on the same metal standard

commerce

See par value
the condition of equality between the current market value of a share, bond, etc, and its face value (the nominal par). This equality is indicated by at par, while above (or below) par indicates that the market value is above (or below) face value

golf an estimated standard score for a hole or course that a good player should makepar for the course was 72

below par or under par not feeling or performing as well as normal

par for the course an expected or normal occurrence or situation