par
noun · verb · adjective
Simple meaning
The standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
pahrIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈpɑɹ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
golfmostly uncountable
The standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course
golfmostly uncountable
The allotted number of strokes to reach the hole.
golfcountable
A hole in which a player achieves par.
Equal value; equality of nominal and actual value; the value expressed on the face or in the words of a certificate of value, as a bond or other commercial paper.
Equality of condition or circumstances.
A state of being essentially equal or equivalent; equally balanced
verb
transitivegolf
To reach the hole in the allotted number of strokes.
adjective
Equally distant from one another at all points.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B1 · Intermediate
- Frequency
- Common
- Typical Use
- Everyday English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: (golf) the standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course
Used this way, par is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Matter-of-fact
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use par
- “The golfer made a fantastic shot, achieving par on the hole.”
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Related Words
Connected to the same idea, not synonyms.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Synonyms
Sense: to reach the hole in the allotted number of strokes
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.