jar

A round container, usually glass with a lid, used for storing food or other things.

• The jar is empty.
• He opened a jar of jam.
• We keep rice in glass jars.

How to use it: a jar of something (She bought a jar of honey.)

Similar words: container, pot

Common phrases: glass jar, jar of something, jam jar

A clay container used to hold liquids such as water or oil, or sometimes to bury human remains.

• The clay jar held water.
• Archaeologists found burial jars near the ancient village.
• Two handles made the large jar easier to carry.

How to use it: a jar of something (The merchant carried a clay jar of oil.)

Similar words: pot, vessel

Common phrases: clay jar, burial jar, earthenware jar

To hit or shake something suddenly and strongly.

• The bump jarred my teeth.
• He hit the door to jar it open.
• The sudden stop jarred every bone in my body.

How to use it: jar something loose/open (The blow jarred the lid loose.)

Similar words: jolt, shake

Common phrases: jar something loose, jar someone's teeth, jar something open

To shock or upset someone suddenly.

• The news jarred her.
• Seeing the damaged house jarred him badly.
• The unexpected rejection jarred my confidence.

Similar words: shock, unsettle, disturb

Opposites: reassure

Common phrases: jar someone, jar someone's confidence

To sound unpleasantly harsh or make such a sound.

• The high notes jarred.
• His harsh voice jarred on her ears.
• The scraping sound jarred against the quiet music.

How to use it: jar on someone's ears (The harsh notes jarred on my ears.)

Similar words: grate, clash

Common phrases: jar on someone, jar the ear, jar against something