anorak

noun

an·​o·​rak ˈa-nə-ˌrak 

1

: a usually pullover hooded jacket long enough to cover the hips

2

British, informal : a person who is extremely enthusiastic about and interested in something that other people find boring

Bale's book is scholarly, immensely detailed and aimed squarely at political anoraks.

—The Sunday Business Post

Examples of anorak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While varsity jackets, windbreakers, and anoraks all fit the bill, a retro track jacket is the move. —Victoria Montalti, refinery29.com, 14 Mar. 2025

Think convertible anoraks, packable neoprene ballet flats, oversize scrunchies that double as mini purses! —Romany Williams, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2025

As seen in both spring collections from Ralph Lauren and Zimmermann, an anorak also can also come in handy when paired with a floor-sweeping flowy dress for effortlessly cool daytime style. —Adam Mansuroglu, WWD, 24 Feb. 2025

Coach’s Call Bottega’s oversized anorak (sure to become a hit of the season) takes on a retro-prep feel with a plaid shirt and coordinating khaki trousers. —Christina Holevas, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Norwegian, Danish or German, borrowed from Greenlandic Inuit annoraaq, name for a hooded outer garment originally made of skin; (sense 2) from the alleged popularity of anoraks as outerwear among such people

Note: The word was initially circulated in English through translations of accounts of polar expeditions, particularly those by Fridtjof nansen, who also wrote about the lives and culture of Greenland Inuit.

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for anorak

• almanac
• camelback
• cardiac
• carryback
• cluniac
• diamondback
• lumberjack
• maniac
• paperback
• piggyback
• quarterback
• saddleback