# jar

> English word · Noun · IPA /dʒɑː/ · frequency rank #7,934

## Definitions
1. An earthenware container, either with two or no handles, for holding oil, water, wine, etc., or used for burial.
2. A small, approximately cylindrical container, normally made of clay or glass, for holding fruit, preserves, etc., or for ornamental purposes.
3. A container and its contents; as much as fills such a container; a jarful.
4. A pint glass
5. A glass of beer or cider, served by the pint.

## Etymology
Inherited from Middle English jarre (“jar”), from Medieval Latin jarra, or from Middle French jarre (“liquid measure”) (from Old French jare; modern French jarre (“earthenware jar”)), or from Spanish jarra, jarro (“jug, pitcher; mug, stein”), all from Arabic جَرَّة (jarra, “earthen receptacle”).
The word is cognate with Italian giara (“jar; crock”), Occitan jarro, Portuguese jarra, jarro (“jug; ewer, pitcher”).
The verb is derived from the noun.

## Easily confused with
- **Jr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jr)
- **jo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jo)
- **JI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-ji)
- **Ju** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-ju)
- **JD** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jd)
- **JK** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jk)
- **JB** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jb)
- **JV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jv)
- **JW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jw)
- **JG** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jg)
- **job** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-job)
- **Joe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-joe)
- **Jim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jim)
- **joy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-joy)
- **jay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jay)
- **Jon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jon)
- **jet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jet)
- **jaw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jaw)
- **jin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jin)
- **jun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/jar-vs-jun)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/jar