par

Pluralpars

Formspars, parring, parred

1. 1
   equal footingnouncountable or uncountable

   Being equal, or being in the same situation as others.

   The new rule puts part-time workers on a par with full-time workers.

   After the repairs, the old school is finally on par with the new one.

   UsageSay on a par with or on par with something.

   Similarparity, equality

2. 2
   set stroke countnoununcountable

   In golf, the usual number of shots a good player needs for a hole, or a score of exactly that number.

   She needs one more good putt to make par.

   He finished the round two shots over par.

   UsageSay under par, over par or make par.

   Note
3. 3
   normal levelnounUKcountable or uncountable

   An amount that is taken as the average or normal level.

   This term's exam marks were above par for the school.

   Rainfall this spring has been well below par.

   UsageSay above par or below par.

   Similaraverage, norm, standard

   Note
4. 4
   by (French)prepositionin compounds

   Used in a few phrases taken from French, where it means by or with.

   My uncle is a storyteller par excellence, and every dinner ends with one of his tales.

   Grandpa's old letters from Brazil are all stamped par avion, because they came by air.

   UsagePut par excellence after the noun: a storyteller par excellence.

   Note
5. 5
   face valuenouncountable or uncountable

   Equal value, or the amount printed on a bond, or a price equal to that amount.

   The company sold its new bonds at par.

   We bought the bond at par, paying exactly the price printed on it.

   UsageSay at par, above par or below par.

   Note

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