jar

1
[ jahr ]
See synonyms for: jarjarredjarring on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of jar

1
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”

Other words from jar

  • jarless, adjective

Words Nearby jar

Other definitions for jar (2 of 3)

jar2
[ 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.

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

  2. to vibrate or shake.

  3. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. a harsh, grating sound.

  2. a discordant sound or combination of sounds.

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

Origin of jar

2
First recorded in 1520–30; probably imitative; cf. chirr

Other words from jar

  • un·jarred, adjective

Other definitions for jar (3 of 3)

jar3
[ jahr ]

noun
  1. a turn or turning.

Origin of jar

3
First recorded in 1665–75; variant of char3; cf. ajar2

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use jar in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jar (1 of 3)

jar1

/ (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

  1. British informal a glass of alcoholic drink, esp beer: to have a jar with someone

  2. obsolete a measure of electrical capacitance

Origin of jar

1
C16: from Old French jarre, from Old Provençal jarra, from Arabic jarrah large earthen vessel

British Dictionary definitions for jar (2 of 3)

jar2

/ (dʒɑː) /


verbjars, jarring or jarred
  1. to vibrate or cause to vibrate

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

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

  2. (intr) to disagree; clash

noun
  1. a jolt or shock

  2. a harsh discordant sound

Origin of jar

2
C16: probably of imitative origin; compare Old English cearran to creak

Derived forms of jar

  • jarring, adjective
  • jarringly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for jar (3 of 3)

jar3

/ (dʒɑː) /


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

Origin of jar

3
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