arctic

1 of 2

adjective

arc·​tic ˈärk-tik How to pronounce arctic (audio) ˈär-tik How to pronounce arctic (audio)
Synonyms of arctic
1
often Arctic : of, relating to, or suitable for use at the North Pole or the region near it
arctic waters
arctic animals
arctic clothing
2
a
: bitter cold : frigid
arctic air
b
: cold in temper or mood
an arctic smile
arctically
ˈärk-ti-k(ə-)lē, 
ˈär-ti- How to pronounce arctic (audio)
adverb

arctic

2 of 2

noun

arc·​tic ˈär-tik How to pronounce arctic (audio) ˈärk-tik How to pronounce arctic (audio)
: a rubber overshoe reaching to the ankle or above

Synonyms of arctic

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Adjective

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Examples of arctic in a Sentence

Adjective The group is involved in Arctic exploration. the arctic air of deep winter
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The Pomors were seafaring Russian hunters and traders who’d travelled to Svalbard from the White Sea between the 16th and 18th centuries to hunt Arctic wildlife. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The growing Arctic activity comes as Washington has become increasingly concerned about Chinese and Russian cooperation close to Alaska. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
There are more than 21,000 chemicals classified as PFAS, and the compounds are so widely used in consumer products and other materials that they have been detected in the surface snow in the arctic and the placenta of pregnant humans. — Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 7 Aug. 2026 Cerveny said this means that warm air from the tropics and subtropics moves northward over the western half of the country (making the Southwest hot) and cold air pours south from the arctic into the eastern half of the country (making the East cold). — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arctic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English artik, from Latin arcticus, from Greek arktikos, from arktos bear, Ursa Major, north; akin to Latin ursus bear, Sanskrit ṛkṣa

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arctic was circa 1540

Phrases Containing arctic

Rhymes for arctic

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Browse Nearby Words

arctangent
arctic
arctic air
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arctic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arctic. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

arctic

1 of 2 adjective
arc·​tic ˈärk-tik How to pronounce arctic (audio) ˈärt-ik How to pronounce arctic (audio)
1
often capitalized : of, relating to, or suitable for use at the north pole or the region around it
arctic waters
arctic animals
arctic clothing
2
: very cold : frigid
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English artik "arctic," derived from Greek arktikos "arctic," from Arktos "the Bear," name of the most easily recognizable constellation near the north pole of the sky

More from Merriam-Webster on arctic

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arctic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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