antarctic

Everyday

1. The Antarctic is the very cold region around the South Pole, including the continent of Antarctica and the seas around it. tree →
2. Antarctic describes things from or about that region, like Antarctic ice or Antarctic animals. tree →

In the lessons

In geography it is one of the polar regions, opposite to the Arctic at the North Pole. Antarctica is a continent covered in thick ice, with no towns and no people living there all the time; only scientists stay for a while. In science penguins, seals and whales live in or around the Antarctic. Phrases: «the Antarctic Circle», «the Antarctic Ocean» (Southern Ocean).

Examples

• Penguins live in the Antarctic, not the Arctic. tree →
• The Antarctic is the coldest place on Earth. tree →
• Scientists study the Antarctic ice. tree →
• Antarctic winters are long and dark. tree →
• Explorers crossed the Antarctic on skis and sledges. tree →
• Whales feed in Antarctic waters in summer. tree →

Note

Usually written with a capital A. Spelled «Antarctic» with a c in the middle: Ant-ARC-tic. Trap: polar bears live in the Arctic (north), penguins in the Antarctic (south); they never meet in the wild. Antarctica is land (a continent); the Arctic is mostly frozen ocean.