nominal par
B2Formal to neutral, with technical usage in finance and sports.
Definition
Meaning
A state of equality, especially the standard or normal level or value.
In golf, the number of strokes a skilled player should require to complete a hole or course; in finance, the face value of a stock or bond; in general use, an average, normal, or expected level or condition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun but can be used adjectivally (e.g., 'par value'). Often part of fixed phrases ('on par with', 'below par'). In metaphorical use, 'par' can imply adequacy, mediocrity, or a benchmark.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slightly more common in US financial contexts. The golfing term is universal.
Connotations
Identical core connotations of a standard or benchmark.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; high in finance and sports contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be on a par with [NP]be below/under/above parplay to parVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “par for the course”
- “below par”
- “on a par with”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the face value of a security, e.g., 'The bond was issued at par.'
Academic
Used in economics and sports science to denote a standard measure.
Everyday
Common in the phrase 'below par' to mean feeling unwell or underperforming.
Technical
In golf, the predetermined number of strokes for a hole/course; in finance, the nominal value.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The golfer managed to par the difficult 18th hole.
American English
- He needs to par this hole to win the tournament.
adverb
British English
- Not used as a standalone adverb.
American English
- Not used as a standalone adverb.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I feel below par today, so I'm staying home.
- What is the par for this golf hole?
- Her performance was on par with the best in the class.
- The company's profits are below par this quarter.
- The new model is roughly on a par with its competitors in terms of features.
- He played consistently under par throughout the championship.
- Critics argued that the film's artistic merit was not on a par with the director's earlier work.
- The bond was trading at 5% below its par value due to market volatility.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PAR is the standard score in golf; think 'Putting At Required' level.
Conceptual Metaphor
STANDARD IS A HORIZONTAL LINE (on par, below par).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'below par' as 'ниже пары' (which is nonsense); use 'ниже нормы' or 'не в форме'.
- Do not confuse with the unrelated Russian word 'пар' (steam).
- 'On par with' ≠ 'на пару с' (which means 'together with'); it means 'наравне с'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'in par' instead of 'on par'.
- Saying 'over par' instead of the standard 'above par'.
- Using 'par' as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'a par' is rare; usually 'a par score').
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'par' NOT typically refer to a standard or normal level?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It means what is normal or expected in a given situation, often used for something negative that is typical.
Yes, in golf, meaning to play a hole in the standard number of strokes (e.g., 'He parred the last hole').
It is standard as one word: 'subpar' (meaning below the usual standard).
'At par' is a financial term meaning at face value. 'On par' (or 'on a par with') is a general phrase meaning equal to.