tar
1 of 3noun
ˈtär 
1
a
: a dark brown or black bituminous usually odorous viscous liquid obtained by destructive distillation of organic material (such as wood, coal, or peat)
b
: a substance in some respects resembling tar
especially : a condensable residue present in smoke from burning tobacco that contains combustion by-products (such as resins, acids, phenols, and essential oils)
2
[short for tarpaulin] : sailor
tar
2 of 3verb (1)
tarred; tarring
transitive verb
1
: to cover with tar
2
: to defile as if with tar
least tarred by the scandal 
Newsweek
Newsweektar
3 of 3verb (2)
ˈtär
variants or tarre
tarred; tarring; tars or tarres
transitive verb
: to urge to action —usually used with on
Synonyms
Noun
- gob
- hearty
- jack
- jack-tar
- mariner
- navigator
- sailor
- salt
- sea dog
- seafarer
- seaman
- shipman
- swab
- swabbie [slang]
- swabby
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun a book about the adventurous lives of tars, skippers, and pirates of the 18th century
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English terr, tarr, from Old English teoru; akin to Old English trēow tree — more at tree entry 1
Verb (2)
Middle English terren, tarren, from Old English tyrwan
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing tar
Kids Definition
tar 1 of 2
noun
ˈtär
1
: a thick dark sticky liquid made from wood, coal, or peat
2
: a substance (as one formed by burning tobacco) that resembles tar
tar
2 of 2verb
tarred; tarring
: to cover with or as if with tar
Medical Definition
tar
noun
ˈtär
1
: any of various dark brown or black bituminous usually odorous viscous liquids obtained by destructive distillation of organic material (as wood, coal, or peat)
especially : one used medicinally (as to treat skin diseases) see coal tar, juniper tar, pine tar
2
: a substance in some respects resembling tar
especially : a condensable residue present in smoke from burning tobacco that contains combustion by-products (as resins, acids, phenols, and essential oils)
Geographical Definition
Tar
geographical name
ˈtär
river 215 miles (346 kilometers) long in northeastern North Carolina see pamlico
tarred
verb
as in smeared
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- smeared
- besmirched
- sullied
- soiled
- dirtied
- besmeared
- tarnished
- smutted
- begrimed
- smirched
- smudged
- tainted
- blackened
- polluted
- stained
- discolored
- marred
- blurred
- disgraced
- clouded
- blemished
- touched
- demeaned
- poisoned
- discredited
- spoiled
- shamed
- dishonored
- darkened
- spoilt
- degraded
- debased
- cheapened
- fouled
- subverted
- colored
- corrupted
- bastardized
- vitiated
- abased
- distorted
- debauched
- depraved
- sunk
- perverted
- demoralized
- lowered
- sank
- twisted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cleansed
- purified
- elevated
- glorified
- enshrined
- uplifted
- magnified
- dignified
- ennobled
- hallowed
- if someone must
- if the cap fits
- if the cap fits, wear it
- if the shoe fits
- if the shoe fits, wear it
- if the worse comes to the worst
- if the worst comes to the worst
- if two people's situations been reversed
- if worse comes to worse
- if worse comes to worst
- if worst comes to worst
- if you ask me
- if you believe that, you'll believe anything
- if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen
- if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen
- if you don't mind me asking
- if you don't mind me saying so
- if you don't mind my asking
- if you don't mind my saying so
- if you don't mind my/me asking
- if you don't mind my/me saying so
- if you know what i mean
- if you like
- if you must know
- if you please