solar
/ˈsəʊ.lə/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Relating to the sun or powered by the sun. It is often used for energy, heat, light, or systems that use sunlight.
- We installed solar panels on the roof.
- Solar energy is getting cheaper every year.
- The school uses solar lights at night.
Adinary Nuance
Use solar when you mean something connected with the sun, especially in science, energy, or technology. It is more specific than sunny, which describes weather or appearance. It is also different from sunlight, which is the light from the sun, not a sun-related system or device.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thuộc về mặt trời
- Spanish
- solar
- Chinese
- 太阳的
- Japanese
- 太陽の
- Korean
- 태양의
Etymology
Solar comes from Latin sol, meaning "sun." It entered English through French and Latin in the Middle Ages and later became common in science and energy contexts.
Common phrases
solar energysolar panelsolar systemsolar power
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is solar a formal word?
- Yes. It is common in academic, technical, and business writing.
- What is the difference between solar and sunny?
- Solar means related to the sun. Sunny describes bright weather or a place with sun.
- Can I say solar power in everyday English?
- Yes. It is a very common phrase in daily speech and writing.