Definition

1. Noun:

   • A state of equality or equivalence; an equal level or standard: "par" refers to a condition of being essentially equal or balanced, often used to compare quality, value, or status.
   • The standard number of strokes in golf: In the sport of golf, "par" is the predetermined number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete a hole or the entire course.

2. Verb:

   • To score par on a golf hole: The action of completing a hole in golf using exactly the number of strokes that constitutes par for that hole.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The quality of this product is on a par with the leading brands. (The quality is equal to that of the best brands.)
  • The 18th hole is a par 5, meaning the expected score is five strokes.
  • He felt below par after being sick all week. (He did not feel up to his normal standard of health.)

• Verb:

  • She managed to par the difficult 7th hole. (She scored the expected number of strokes on the 7th hole.)

Advanced Usage

• "At par": Equal in value or status, especially regarding the face value of a financial security.

  • The bond was issued at par, meaning its selling price was equal to its face value.

• "Above par": Better than the average or expected standard.

  • Her performance this quarter was above par.

• "Below par": Worse than the average or expected standard; not feeling well.

  • The team's effort was below par today.
  • I'm feeling a bit below par, so I'm going home early.

Variants and Related Words

• Par value (n): The nominal or face value of a stock, bond, or other security.
  • The shares were trading below their par value.

Synonyms

• Equality: The state of being equal.
• Standard: A level of quality or attainment used as a measure.
• Norm: A standard or pattern, especially of social behavior, that is typical or expected.
• Average: A number expressing the central or typical value in a set of data.

Related Phrases

• "On a par with": Equal in importance or quality to something else.

  • This university's research is on a par with the world's best institutions.

• "Up to par": Meeting the usual or required standard.

  • Your recent work hasn't been up to par. Please improve.

Idioms

• "Par for the course": What is normal or expected in a given situation, especially something undesirable.
  • Traffic jams are par for the course during rush hour. (Traffic jams are typical and expected.)

Noun

1. a state of being essentially equal or equivalent; equally balanced
   • on a par with the best
2. (golf) the standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course
   • a par-5 hole
   • par for this course is 72

Verb

1. make a score (on a hole) equal to par