corn
6 synonyms for corn, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A tall cereal plant grown for its large yellow kernels, called maize outside North America.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use corn
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sweet corn
corn on the cob
pure corn
Etymology
From Old English "corn," from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "grain," ultimately related to a root meaning "worn down" or "ground." A doublet of "grain" and "granum." The specific American sense of "maize" grew out of the older phrase "Indian corn."
Full origin of corn →Frequently asked questions
What does “corn” mean?
The word “corn” means a tall cereal plant grown for its large yellow kernels, called maize outside North America. In plain terms, a cereal grain (especially maize in American English), or informally something cheesy and sentimental.
How do you pronounce “corn”?
“Corn” is pronounced KAWN (/ˈkɔɹn/ in IPA).
How do you use “corn” in a sentence?
Here is “corn” used in a sentence: “They grew rows of sweet corn behind the barn.”
What part of speech is “corn”?
Depending on how it is used, “corn” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “corn” come from?
The word “corn” comes from Old English.
Is “corn” a common word?
“Corn” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “corn” have?
“Corn” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tall cereal plant grown for its large yellow kernels, called maize outside North America.
What is the difference between corn and maize?
Corn and maize refer to the same tall cereal plant with large yellow kernels. 'Corn' is the usual North American term, while 'maize' is used in British English and in scientific contexts.
What is the difference between corn and wheat?
In American English, corn means maize, which is a different plant from wheat. In British English, however, 'corn' can itself refer to the leading local grain, which is often wheat, so the meaning depends on the region.
Is 'corn' countable or uncountable?
As a grain or food, corn is usually uncountable, so you say 'some corn' rather than 'a corn.' To count it, you use a unit such as 'an ear of corn' or 'a kernel of corn.'
