tar
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A sailor (because of the traditional tarpaulin clothes).
Register: dated, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Shines in all climates like a star; In senates bold, and fierce in war; A land commander, and a tar.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “tar” mean?
A sailor (because of the traditional tarpaulin clothes).
Is “tar” formal or informal?
tar is generally dated, slang.