Antarctic

American  

[ant-ahrk-tik, -ahr-tik] / æntˈɑrk tɪk, -ˈɑr tɪk /

adjective

1. Sometimes antarctic of, at, or near the South Pole.

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noun

1. the Antarctic, the continent of Antarctica along with the Southern Ocean.

Antarctic British  

/ æntˈɑːktɪk /

noun

1. Antarctica and the surrounding waters

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adjective

1. of or relating to the south polar regions

Antarctic Cultural  

1. The region around the South Pole, Antarctica, and the surrounding ocean.

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Etymology

Origin of Antarctic

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin antarcticus, from Greek antarktikós; replacing Middle English antartik or directly from Middle French, from Medieval Latin antarticus; see ant-, Arctic

Example Sentences

His big break came when he was taken on as a research diver with the British Antarctic Survey, stationed at Signy Island in the South Orkney Islands.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Some will argue that any new claim violates the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets have both lost considerable mass, and the annual average extent of Arctic sea ice in 2025 was the lowest or second-lowest ever recorded in the satellite era.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

These reconstructed snapshots showed that the Antarctic gravity hole was initially weaker.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

Whaling first brought people to South Georgia Island, and it was to a whaling station that Endurance headed as its final stop before challenging the Antarctic.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

Related Words

• chilly
• freezing
• frosty
• frozen
• glacial
• ice-cold
• icy
• wintry