jar
jar Lexical Profile
jar Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A cylindrical container with a wide mouth, typically made of glass or pottery, used especially for storing food.
"She kept a jar of homemade strawberry jam on the top shelf of the pantry."
A sudden, harsh physical jolt or shock.
"The train stopped with a violent jar, throwing the standing passengers off balance."
A harsh, discordant, or grating sound.
"The sudden jar of the dropping metal pipes startled everyone in the warehouse."
• verb
To have a harsh, irritating, or unpleasant effect on the senses or nerves.
"The shrill sound of the alarm began to jar on her nerves after a few minutes."
To bump or strike heavily, causing a sudden physical shock.
"The suspension failed to absorb the impact, which jarred the entire vehicle as it hit the pothole."
To clash, disagree, or be incongruous with something.
"The bright neon sign jars with the traditional architecture of the historic downtown area."
• Rhymes for jar
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The noun denoting a container derives from Arabic 'jarra' (earthenware water vessel) via Middle French 'jarre'. The verb and noun relating to a physical shock or harsh sound emerged in the 16th century, likely of imitative origin.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.