polar
gb/pˈoʊlɚ/ us/pˈoʊlɚ/
B2
English
~ 7500
sarki, dermesztő, sarkvidéki hideg, szöges ellentét, szögesen ellentétes, poláris, sarkvidék
B2
1
sarki
A2
Usage pattern:
polar [region/area/species/environment]
Climate change is transforming the polar regions at an alarming rate.
A klímaváltozás riasztó ütemben alakítja át a sarki régiókat.
The ship was specially built to travel through polar waters.
A hajót kifejezetten sarki vizeken való közlekedésre építették.
Polar research stations operate in almost complete darkness during the winter months.
The documentary showed polar wildlife struggling with melting sea ice.
Scientists monitor polar ice caps to measure global warming.
Learner examples
Polar areas are very far north or south.
A sarki területek nagyon messze északon vagy délen vannak.
Many people study the weather in polar regions.
Sokan tanulmányozzák az időjárást a sarki régiókban.
A polar bear lives near the North Pole.
Some birds fly to polar seas in summer.
The polar ice is melting fast.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "polar" to mean any cold place. Strictly, this sense is about the areas around the North and South Poles, not just cold regions in general.
Meaning
relating to the North or South Pole
Collocations
polar regions
|polar ice caps
|polar climate
|polar bear
|polar seas
|polar expedition
Synonyms
Arctic (Usually refers specifically to the North Polar region, while "polar" can refer to either pole.)
|
Antarctic (Usually refers specifically to the South Polar region, while "polar" can refer to either pole.)
Antonyms
equatorial (Refers to areas around the Earth's equator, the opposite of the far northern or southern polar areas.)
Themes
geography
|environment
|science
|nature
Definition
About places or things in the very far north or south of the world, near the North Pole or South Pole.
Located in, near, or directly connected with the regions around Earth's North or South Pole.
B2
2
dermesztő
B2
Usage pattern:
polar [air/wind/weather/night]
A blast of polar air moved down from the north and covered the city in snow.
Északról sarkvidéki eredetű hideg levegő érkezett, és hóval borította be a várost.
We woke up to polar temperatures and frozen pipes.
Dermesztő hidegre és elfagyott csövekre ébredtünk.
The wind was absolutely polar on the mountain ridge.
She pulled her coat tighter against the polar night air.
Fans braved almost polar conditions to watch the game.
Learner examples
The wind today feels polar.
A mai szél dermesztően hidegnek érződik.
We had to stay inside because it was polar outside.
Bent kellett maradnunk, mert odakint dermesztő hideg volt.
The hikers were not ready for the polar cold.
After sunset, the beach suddenly felt polar.
They wore heavy coats in the polar wind.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse "polar" with "polarizing" (which means causing strong disagreement). "Polar" in this sense only describes very cold conditions.
Meaning
extremely cold like the poles
Collocations
polar air mass
|polar wind
|polar conditions
|polar chill
|almost polar outside
|polar temperatures
Synonyms
freezing (More common in everyday speech; "polar" often sounds stronger or more dramatic.)
|
frigid (Very similar strength; "frigid" is slightly more formal or literary.)
Antonyms
balmy (Describes pleasantly warm weather, the opposite of extremely cold conditions.)
Themes
weather
|daily_life
|nature
Definition
Very, very cold, like the North or South Pole.
Extremely or intensely cold, similar to conditions in the polar regions.
C1
3
Usage pattern:
polar [views/opinions/positions]
Their views on education are polar opposites.
Az oktatásról alkotott nézeteik szöges ellentétben állnak egymással.
The two candidates represent polar positions on climate policy.
A két jelölt szögesen ellentétes álláspontot képvisel a klímapolitikában.
Our personalities are almost polar, but we still get along.
These two reports come to polar conclusions about the same data.
She enjoys the polar experiences of city life and living off-grid.
Learner examples
My sister and I are polar opposites.
A nővéremmel szöges ellentétei vagyunk egymásnak.
The two plans are polar ideas.
A két elképzelés szögesen ellentétes.
These two movies give polar messages.
Their opinions on money are polar.
The results of the studies are polar.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "polar" here always needs the word "opposites". It is most common in the phrase "polar opposites", but it can also modify other nouns like "views" or "positions" to mean extremely different.
Meaning
completely opposite or extreme
Collocations
polar opposites
|polar opposite
|polar extremes
|polar viewpoints
|polar positions
|polar ends of the spectrum
Synonyms
opposite (General word for being different in direction or quality; "polar" emphasizes complete or extreme difference.)
|
diametrically opposed (Formal phrase that, like "polar", stresses total opposition.)
Antonyms
similar (Indicates things are alike, the contrast of being at opposite extremes.)
Themes
abstract
|emotions
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Describes things that are totally different from each other.
Used to describe two things that are completely or extremely different from each other.
C1
TECHNICAL
4
poláris
B2
Usage pattern:
polar [molecule/bond/solvent/group]
Water is a highly polar molecule with a bent shape.
A víz erősen poláris molekula, hajlított térszerkezettel.
Salt dissolves easily in polar solvents but not in nonpolar ones.
A só könnyen oldódik poláris oldószerekben, apoláris oldószerekben viszont nem.
The drug contains both polar and nonpolar regions.
A polar covalent bond forms when electrons are shared unequally.
The polar nature of the compound affects its boiling point.
Learner examples
Water is a polar molecule.
A víz poláris molekula.
Oil is not polar, so it does not mix with water.
Az olaj nem poláris, ezért nem keveredik a vízzel.
A polar bond has an uneven share of electrons.
Polar liquids can dissolve many kinds of salts.
Some parts of a protein are polar and like water.
Common mistake:
Learners may mix up "polar" and "ionic". While many ionic compounds interact strongly with polar substances, "ionic" refers to charged ions, and "polar" refers to uneven charge inside a molecule or bond.
Meaning
having separated electric charges
Collocations
polar molecule
|polar bond
|polar solvent
|polar covalent bond
|highly polar
|polar functional group
Synonyms
charged (General word for having electrical charge; "polar" specifically refers to unequal charge distribution within a molecule or bond.)
Antonyms
nonpolar (Describes molecules or bonds without significant separation of charge, the technical opposite of polar in chemistry.)
Themes
science
|chemistry
Definition
Describes a molecule or chemical bond where electric charge is not shared equally, so one end is more positive and the other more negative.
Describes a molecule, bond, or substance in which electric charge is unevenly distributed, producing distinct positive and negative areas.
C1
TECHNICAL
5
poláris
B2
Usage pattern:
polar [coordinates/orbit/axis/angle]
The satellite follows a near polar orbit, passing over both poles on each trip around Earth.
A műhold csaknem poláris pályán kering, így minden Föld körüli útja során elhalad mindkét pólus felett.
Students learned how to convert between Cartesian and polar coordinates.
A diákok megtanulták, hogyan lehet átváltani derékszögű és poláris koordináták között.
A polar axis is used as the reference line in this coordinate system.
The polar angle is measured from the positive x-axis.
Weather satellites in polar orbits can observe the entire planet over time.
Learner examples
In math class we studied polar coordinates.
Matematikaórán poláris koordinátákkal foglalkoztunk.
A polar orbit goes over the North and South Poles.
A poláris pálya az Északi- és a Déli-sark felett halad el.
We drew a graph using polar axes.
The scientist showed a map in polar form.
The satellite moves in a low polar path around Earth.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume "polar coordinates" are only about cold places. In mathematics, this term is about a way of locating points using a distance and an angle from a center point, not about climate.
Meaning
relating to a mathematical or physical pole
Collocations
polar coordinates
|polar orbit
|polar axis
|polar angle
|polar satellite
|polar diagram
Synonyms
axial (General term for something related to an axis; "polar" is used in specific mathematical and astronomical systems.)
Antonyms
equatorial (In astronomy, refers to regions or orbits around the equator, contrasting with polar regions or orbits around a pole.)
Themes
science
|mathematics
|astronomy
Definition
Used in math and science to talk about lines, orbits, or points that are based on a central axis or pole.
Relating to a pole, axis, or reference point in mathematical systems of coordinates or in the rotation of astronomical bodies.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
6
sarkvidék
B1
Usage pattern:
the polar / the polars
Warmer ocean currents are now reaching the polar, accelerating ice loss.
Melegebb óceáni áramlatok érik el a sarkvidékeket, felgyorsítva a jégvesztést.
Species adapted to the polar are under severe threat from climate change.
A sarkvidéki körülményekhez alkalmazkodott fajokat súlyosan fenyegeti a klímaváltozás.
Scientists compare data from the tropics and the polar to track global shifts.
The polar is experiencing record-breaking temperatures.
New agreements aim to limit fishing in the polar.
Learner examples
Many animals in the polar are losing their homes.
A sarkvidéken sok állat elveszíti az élőhelyét.
People study the polar to understand climate change.
Az emberek a sarkvidéket tanulmányozzák, hogy megértsék a klímaváltozást.
The polar is much colder than the tropics.
Ice in the polar is getting thinner.
The polar has long, dark winters.
Common mistake:
This noun use of "polar" is less common in everyday English; learners may expect it only as an adjective. In general English, it is safer to say "the polar regions" instead of just "the polar".
Meaning
the region around a pole
Collocations
the polar regions
|the polar areas
|life in the polar
|changes in the polar
|melting in the polar
|protect the polar environment
Synonyms
polar region (More explicit phrase for the same concept; "polar" as a noun is more technical or shorthand in scientific writing.)
Antonyms
tropics (Refers to the warm regions around the equator, contrasted with the cold polar regions.)
Themes
geography
|environment
|science
|nature
|weather
Definition
The very far north or south part of the Earth, near the North Pole or South Pole.
The region around the Earth's North or South Pole, especially when referred to in contrast with other climate zones.
Grammar
Dictionary form
polar
IPA
GB/pˈoʊlɚ/
US/pˈoʊlɚ/
Syllables & stress
po - lar (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (po)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: polar
Noun
- Base: polar
- Plural: polars
Word family
Forms
polars
noun
Core family
Related words
polarizing
adjective
bipolar
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
apolar
adjective
polarizable
adjective
Expressions
polar bear plunge
1/pˈoʊlɚ bˈɛɹ plˈʌnd͡ʒ/
idiom
informal
event of jumping into icy water
A special event where people jump into very cold water, often in winter, usually to raise money for charity or for fun.
Examples
- Hundreds of people took part in the New Year's polar bear plunge.
- She trained for weeks before doing a polar bear plunge in the lake.
- The charity raised thousands of dollars from the annual polar bear plunge.
polar ice cap
1/pˈoʊlɚ ˈaɪs kˈæp/
fixed phrase
technical
large permanent ice around a pole
A huge, thick layer of ice that covers land or sea near the North Pole or South Pole.
Examples
- Scientists are tracking changes in the size of the polar ice cap.
- Melting of the polar ice caps could raise sea levels worldwide.
- The documentary showed satellite images of shrinking polar ice caps.
polar opposites
1/pˈoʊlɚ ˈɑpəzɪts/
fixed phrase
two things that are totally different
Two people, ideas, or things that are completely different from each other.
Examples
- Although they are twins, their personalities are polar opposites.
- The two proposals are polar opposites and will lead to very different results.
- Her calm nature and his impatience make them polar opposites.
polar vortex
1/pˈoʊlɚ vˈɔɹtɛks/
fixed phrase
technical
large area of very cold polar air
A huge area of very cold air high above the polar region that sometimes moves south and brings very cold weather.
Examples
- A strong polar vortex is expected to bring record low temperatures to the region.
- News reports warned that the polar vortex would make travel dangerous.
- When the polar vortex weakens, icy air can spill into lower latitudes.
polar vortex
1/pˈoʊlɚ vˈɔɹtɛks/
fixed phrase
Cold-air system near the poles
A big system of very cold air near the North or South Pole.
Examples
- Forecasters warned that the polar vortex could push temperatures far below normal.
- When the polar vortex weakens, cold air can spill into lower latitudes.
Learner examples
- The polar vortex can bring very cold weather.
- The news talked about the polar vortex.
polar opposite
1/pˈoʊlɚ ˈɑpəzɪt/
fixed phrase
a single complete opposite
Something or someone that is completely different from another thing or person.
Examples
- They are polar opposites in personality.
- His new job is the polar opposite of his old one.
- This outcome is polar opposite to what we expected.
- This quiet village is the polar opposite of the busy city.
- Her lifestyle now is the polar opposite of what it was ten years ago.