Antarctic
/ænˈtɑːk.tɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ænˈtɑːrk.tɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ænˈtɑːktɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ænˈtɑːrktɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)ant-ˈärk-tik -ˈär-tik/ (ame, mw)
Antarctic — noun
1. the extremely cold area that surrounds the South Pole, covering the continent of
the extremely cold area that surrounds the South Pole, covering the continent of Antarctica and the parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans that lie near it
The Antarctic is one of Earth's most remote places and has almost no residents.
uncountable noun: always 'the Antarctic', never 'an Antarctic'
Scientists from twelve countries work together in the Antarctic to study climate change and wildlife.
Only specially equipped ships can travel safely through the icy waters of the Antarctic.
The treaty signed in 1959 protects the Antarctic as a place for peaceful scientific research.
- South Pole
refers to the exact point at the bottom of the globe, not the whole region
- Antarctica
the continent itself; 'the Antarctic' includes both the continent and the surrounding ocean
- Arctic
the region around the North Pole, opposite end of the Earth
文法句型
the Antarctic
用法筆記
Always used with the definite article 'the' — you cannot say 'an Antarctic' or 'Antarctic is cold'. The noun cannot be made plural.
常見錯誤
Antarctic — adjective
- Antarcticpositive
- more Antarcticcomparative
- most Antarcticsuperlative
1. used to describe the frozen land, sea, and climate at the southernmost end of th
used to describe the frozen land, sea, and climate at the southernmost end of the Earth, including the continent of Antarctica
The Antarctic Circle is an imaginary line that marks the coldest region on the globe.
fixed phrase: 'Antarctic Circle'
Japan's Antarctic research station releases data on ice thickness every month.
The team spent eighteen months on an Antarctic expedition, camping on the frozen continent.
Scientists warn that warming temperatures are reducing the amount of Antarctic sea ice.
The small plane landed on the Antarctic ice after a three-hour flight from the coast.
- Arctic
relating to the North Pole region, opposite end of the planet
文法句型
Antarctic + noun
用法筆記
This adjective appears almost only before a noun (attributive position). You do not say 'This weather is Antarctic' — use 'polar' or 'freezing' instead. Common in formal and geographical writing.