jar
B1Neutral to informal for noun; slightly more formal for verb meaning 'to conflict'.
Definition
Meaning
A wide-mouthed container, typically cylindrical and made of glass, clay, or plastic, used for storing food or other substances.
1. To cause a jolt or unpleasant shock to someone or something; to conflict or be discordant. 2. A sudden jolt or shock. 3. (Computing) A Java Archive file format.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun refers primarily to a container. The verb 'to jar' often describes a physical or emotional jolt, or a clash of ideas/styles. The computing sense is technical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both noun and verb meanings are shared. The noun is slightly more frequent in UK English in the context of preserving food (e.g., 'jam jar').
Connotations
Neutral for container; negative for verb ('jar on the nerves', 'jarring experience').
Frequency
High frequency for noun (everyday object). Medium-low for verb.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
jar + on + [sb's nerves/senses]jar + with + [idea/style]jar + [sb] (emotionally)[sound/sight] + jarsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Cash on the barrelhead (US variant: 'cash on the jarhead' is non-standard)”
- “Caught with your hand in the cookie jar”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in manufacturing/packaging (e.g., 'jar filling line').
Academic
Verb used in literary/critical analysis (e.g., 'the anachronism jarred with the historical setting').
Everyday
Very high for noun (kitchen item). Common for verb describing annoyance.
Technical
Computing: '.jar file' (Java Archive).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The loud bang jarred him from his sleep.
- Her bright pink hat jarred with the sombre occasion.
American English
- The politician's comment jarred with his previous statements.
- The bad news really jarred me.
adverb
British English
- The two styles clashed jarringly.
- The car stopped jarringly at the red light.
American English
- The music cut off jarringly.
- His opinion jarringly opposed the group's consensus.
adjective
British English
- The jarring noise of the construction work continued all day.
- He found the modern art jarring.
American English
- The jarring contrast between the rich and poor was evident.
- It was a jarring transition from vacation to work.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I bought a jar of honey.
- Can you open this jar for me?
- The cookies are in the jar.
- She keeps her buttons in a small glass jar.
- The sudden noise jarred my concentration.
- He filled the jar with olives.
- The director's cameo appearance jarred with the film's serious tone.
- Archaeologists discovered several ancient storage jars.
- The verdict was a jarring end to a long trial.
- The jarring juxtaposition of classical architecture and neon signage defined the city's aesthetic.
- His cynicism jarred profoundly with her innate optimism.
- The software dependencies were bundled into a single executable jar file.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A JAR is for JAM And Relish. To JAR something is to Jolt And Rattle it.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS A PHYSICAL IMPACT ('Their opinions jarred'). ANNOYANCE IS AN UNPLEASANT SOUND ('His voice jars on me').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'jar' as verb (сотрясать, раздражать) and noun 'банка'. The computing '.jar' is a direct loanword.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'jar' for a drinking glass (use 'glass').
- Confusing 'jarring' (discordant) with 'disturbing' (more general).
Practice
Quiz
In computing, a '.jar' file is primarily associated with which programming language?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while commonly used for food (jam, pickles), jars can hold non-food items like nails, paint, or coins.
A jar typically has a wide mouth. A bottle has a narrow neck. A 'pot' is often used for cooking (pot) or planting (flower pot), but can overlap with 'jar' for storage (e.g., 'jam pot' in UK English).
Rarely. The verb almost always implies a negative, unpleasant, or discordant effect (e.g., a jarring experience).
A Mason jar is a specific type of glass jar with a screw-top, used widely in home canning and preserving, and popular as a drinking glass or decorative item.
Collections
Part of a collection
Food and Cooking
A2 · 50 words · Cooking methods, kitchen tools and recipes.