coffin
Coffin (noun) means a box in which a dead body is placed for burial. Example: “The pallbearers carried the coffin into the church.”
How to use coffin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe box a body is buried in.
In American English, "casket" is often preferred, especially by the funeral industry; "coffin" is standard throughout the UK.
Word forms
coffined past tense, coffins plural, coffins plural, Coffins plural, coffins singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The pallbearers carried the _____ into the church.
Etymology
From Old French cofin, "basket" or "box," from Latin cophinus, itself from Greek kophinos, "a basket." It originally meant any box or case before narrowing to its current burial sense.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for coffin
See all rhymes for coffin →Frequently asked questions
What does “coffin” mean?
The word “coffin” means a box in which a dead body is placed for burial. In plain terms, the box a body is buried in.
How do you pronounce “coffin”?
“Coffin” is pronounced KO-fihn (/ˈkɔfɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “coffin” in a sentence?
Here is “coffin” used in a sentence: “The pallbearers carried the coffin into the church.”
What part of speech is “coffin”?
“Coffin” is a noun.
Where does the word “coffin” come from?
The word “coffin” comes from Latin. From Old French cofin, "basket" or "box," from Latin cophinus, itself from Greek kophinos, "a basket." It originally meant any box or case before narrowing to its current burial sense.
Is “coffin” a common word?
“Coffin” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a coffin and a casket?
A coffin traditionally has a tapered, six-sided shape that is wider at the shoulders and narrower at the feet, while a casket is typically rectangular with a hinged lid. Both are boxes used to hold a body for burial, but the terms describe different shapes and are sometimes used loosely as synonyms.
What is the difference between a coffin and a sarcophagus?
A coffin is a box, often made of wood, in which a body is placed for burial, while a sarcophagus is typically a stone container, often elaborately carved, historically used to hold a coffin or the body itself. A sarcophagus is generally larger, heavier, and more decorative than a standard coffin.