noun

coir

KOY-uhr

Coir (noun) means a coarse, springy fibre taken from the husk of the coconut, used to make rope, matting, doormats, brushes and a peat-free growing medium for plants. Example: “The doormat is woven from coir, so it scrapes mud off boots well.”

noun

A coarse, springy fibre taken from the husk of the coconut, used to make rope, matting, doormats, brushes and a peat-free growing medium for plants.

"The doormat is woven from coir, so it scrapes mud off boots well."

"She soaks a block of coir before potting up her seedlings."

How to Use Coir

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe rough fibre from a coconut's outer husk.

When to use it

Neutral. Everyday in gardening, textile and flooring contexts.

Memory tip

Coir and choir are spelled with the same letters rearranged but sound nothing alike — choir is 'KWIRE'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

choir → core → coire

Common pairings

coir matting coir doormat coir rope coir compost block of coir

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Test yourself on “coir” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The doormat is woven from _____, so it scrapes mud off boots well.

Etymology

From Malayalam kayar 'cord, rope', related to the verb meaning 'to be twisted'; the word reached English through Portuguese traders in India.

Origin: Malayalam

Synonyms

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coconut fibre coco fibre coco peat

Rhymes for coir

noir choir memoir Renoir Revoir boudoir abattoir reservoir

See all rhymes for coir →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce coir?

It is usually said as KOY-uhr, rhyming roughly with 'lawyer' in many British accents. A single-syllable pronunciation like 'coy' is also heard in the horticultural trade.

What is the difference between coir and peat?

Peat is decomposed bog vegetation dug from wetlands, while coir is a by-product of coconut processing. Gardeners increasingly use coir because harvesting peat destroys carbon-rich bogs, though coir holds water differently and contains fewer nutrients.

What is coir used for?

Traditionally for rope, doormats, matting, brushes and mattress stuffing, because the fibre is stiff, salt-resistant and slow to rot. In modern gardening, the finer coco peat grade is used as a soil substitute in pots and hydroponics.