Arctic vs. Antarctic — What's the Difference?

The Arctic ( or ) is a polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (United States), Canada, Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden.

The Antarctic ( or , US English also or ; commonly ) is a polar region around Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica, the Kerguelen Plateau and other island territories located on the Antarctic Plate or south of the Antarctic Convergence.

Relating to the regions around the North Pole

Alternative spelling of Antarctic

(of weather conditions) very cold

Opposite to the northern or arctic pole; relating to the southern pole or to the region near it, and applied especially to a circle, distant from the pole 23° 28

The regions around the North Pole.

The region around the south pole: Antarctica and surrounding waters

A thick waterproof overshoe extending to the ankle or above.

Of or relating to Antarctica

A drab-coloured hairy butterfly of the arctic and subarctic regions of the New World.

At or near the south pole

Extremely cold; frigid.

A warm waterproof overshoe.

Alternative case form of Arctic

Alternative case form of Arctic

Pertaining to, or situated under, the northern constellation called the Bear; northern; frigid; as, the arctic pole, circle, region, ocean; an arctic expedition, night, temperature.

The arctic circle.

A warm waterproof overshoe.

The regions north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole

A waterproof overshoe that protects shoes from water or snow

At or near the north pole

Of or relating to the Arctic;

Extremely cold;