Meaning & use
on par
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
At the same level or standard as something else.
Grammar: Followed by with: on par with the others.
Patterns
- on par with something
- be on par with someone
Her skills are on par with those of a professional.
The new phone is on par with last year's model.
Wages here are on par with the national average.
phrasefixed phrasesport
In golf, finishing a hole or round in exactly the expected number of strokes.
Grammar: Used in golf commentary.
Patterns
- be on par
He was on par after nine holes.
She stayed on par through the front nine.
The leader is on par going into the last round.
Common combinations
- on par with
- The food is on par with the best restaurants.
- roughly on par
- The two cars are roughly on par.
- remain on par
- Prices remain on par with last year.
- not on par
- His essay was not on par with the others.
- be on par with
- Their service is on par with the leading companies.
Synonyms and how they differ
- equal to
- Equal to is more exact and mathematical, while on par is looser.
- level with
- Level with suggests being at the same height or position, while on par is about standard.
- comparable to
- Comparable to says two things can be compared, but not that they match exactly.
- up to par
- Up to par means meeting the expected standard, and on par means equal to something specific.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: on par or on a par?
on par vs on a par
On a par with is an accepted variant in British English, but on par with is also widely used.
Practice
The new library's collection is on par ____ the one in the capital.
Choose one answer.
On par is followed by with. To, than and for are not used with this phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “on par”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.