Jar — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈjär/

Meaning & Definition of Jar

Jar (noun)

  1. a widemouthed container made typically of earthenware or glass
  2. as much as a jar will hold
  3. a sudden or unexpected shake
  4. an unsettling shock
  5. an unpleasant break or conflict in rhythm, flow, or transition
  6. the position of being ajar —usually used in the phrase on the jar

Jar (verb)

  1. to have a harshly disagreeable or disconcerting effect
  2. to make a harsh or discordant sound
  3. to be out of harmony; specifically, bicker

Jar (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a forceful coming together of two things

    "this padded case should protect your laptop from the jars normally experienced while traveling"

    similar: bump, collision, concussion, crash, impact, impingement, jolt, jounce, kick, shock, slam, smash, strike, wallop
    related: blow, buffet, hit, knock, punch, rap, slap, thump, bashing, battering, bludgeoning, clobbering, hammering, lambasting, licking, pounding, pummeling, thrashing, contact, encounter, meeting, touch

  2. something that makes a strong impression because it is so unexpected

    "the flow of her day was interrupted with the jar of an unexpected crisis"

    similar: bombshell, jaw-dropper, jolt, stunner, surprise, bolt from the blue
    related: shock, thunderclap, eye-opener, revelation, shocker, amazement, marvel, wonder, fillip, kick, kicker, twist, wrinkle

  3. a harsh grating sound

    "the jar of a stuck car door"

    similar: creak, grind, rasp, scrape, scratch
    related: clang, clangor, clank, clash, jangle, scuff, croak, gargle, blast, bleat, bray, screech

Jar (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to express different opinions about something often angrily

    "those two coworkers have such incompatible personalities that it's no wonder they constantly jar"

    similar: altercate, argue, argufy, bicker, brabble, brawl, controvert, dispute, fall out, fight, hassle, quarrel, quibble, row, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle, bandy words, butt heads, lock horns, mix it up
    related: challenge, dare, defy, clash, contend, contest, tangle, cavil, fuss, nitpick, consider, debate, discuss, kick, object, protest
    near: coexist, get along, accept, agree, assent, concur, consent

  2. to be out of harmony or agreement usually noticeably

    "the bright orange of the walls jars with the light pastels of the furnishings"

    similar: clash, collide, conflict, disaccord, discord
    related: battle, combat, engage, fight, war (against), chafe, gall, grate, jangle, differ, disagree, dissent
    opposite: accord, blend, conform (to or with), fit, harmonize, match
    near: agree, assent, coincide, concur, correspond

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Jar

The most common words with a similar meaning to Jar:

bump, collision, concussion, crash, impact, impingement, jolt, jounce, kick, shock, slam, smash, strike, wallop, bombshell, jaw-dropper, stunner, surprise, creak, grind, rasp, scrape, scratch, bolt from the blue, altercate, argue, argufy, bicker, brabble, brawl, controvert, dispute, fall out, fight, hassle, quarrel, quibble, row, scrap, spat

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Jar

Words with the opposite meaning of Jar:

accord, blend, conform (to or with), fit, harmonize, match

Related Words for Jar

blow, buffet, hit, knock, punch, rap, slap, thump, bashing, battering, bludgeoning, clobbering, hammering, lambasting, licking, pounding, pummeling, thrashing, contact, encounter, meeting, touch, thunderclap, eye-opener, revelation, shocker, amazement, marvel, wonder, fillip

Near Antonyms of Jar

coexist, get along, accept, agree, assent, concur, consent, coincide, correspond

Word Forms of Jar

Inflections: jarred, jarring

Derived words: jarful (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Jar

Middle French jarre, from Old Occitan jarra, from Arabic jarra earthen water vessel

First known use: 1592

Words & Phrases Containing Jar

bell jar, canopic jar, cookie jar, Leyden jar, mason jar, slop jar

Frequently Asked Questions about Jar

What does "Jar" mean?

"Jar" means a widemouthed container made typically of earthenware or glass. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a widemouthed container made typically of earthenware or glass. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Jar"?

Other words for "Jar" include bump, collision, concussion, crash, impact, impingement, jolt and jounce. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Jar" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Jar"?

There are 120 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Jar". Common alternatives include bump, collision, concussion, crash, impact, impingement, jolt, jounce, kick and shock.

What is the opposite of "Jar"?

Antonyms of "Jar" include accord, blend, conform (to or with), fit, harmonize and match. Near antonyms include coexist, get along, accept and agree.

How do you use "Jar" in a sentence?

Examples of "Jar" in a sentence: "this padded case should protect your laptop from the jars normally experienced while traveling"; "the flow of her day was interrupted with the jar of an unexpected crisis"; "the jar of a stuck car door".

Is "Jar" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Jar" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Jar"?

"Jar" is pronounced /ˈjär/.

What is the origin of the word "Jar"?

"Jar" comes from Middle French jarre, from Old Occitan jarra, from Arabic jarra earthen water vessel. First known use: 1592.