coke
kohk
Coke (noun) means a solid fuel made by roasting coal, used mainly in steelmaking. Example: “Steelworks once needed huge amounts of coke to heat their furnaces.”
noun
1
A solid fuel made by roasting coal, used mainly in steelmaking.
"Steelworks once needed huge amounts of coke to heat their furnaces."
"Coke burns hotter and cleaner than coal, so factories valued it."
"The old power station burned coke instead of raw coal."
2
Informal term for cocaine.
"He was arrested for possession of coke."
3
Informal shortening of Coca-Cola or a cola-flavored soft drink.
"He ordered a burger, chips and a large cold coke."
"She poured two glasses of coke over ice for the guests."
"Can I get a coke with my order?"
How to use coke
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a fuel from processed coal, or slang for cocaine, or a cola drink.
When to use it
The drug and drink senses are informal/slang; context makes the meaning clear.
Common pairings
a can of coke
coke oven
snort coke
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- cokes
- Past tense
- coked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Steelworks once needed huge amounts of _____ to heat their furnaces.
Etymology
Origin uncertain; first recorded in the 1600s, possibly related to an old word for "core," referring to what's left after coal is burned down.
Class of 1600
coke joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for coke
See all rhymes for coke →Frequently asked questions
What does “coke” mean?
The word “coke” means a solid fuel made by roasting coal, used mainly in steelmaking. In plain terms, depending on context: a fuel from processed coal, or slang for cocaine, or a cola drink.
How do you pronounce “coke”?
“Coke” is pronounced kohk (/koʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “coke” in a sentence?
Here is “coke” used in a sentence: “The old power station burned coke instead of raw coal.”
What is another word for “coke”?
Words with a similar meaning to “coke” include the list at soda.
What part of speech is “coke”?
“Coke” is a noun.
Where does the word “coke” come from?
The word “coke” dates back to around 1600. Origin uncertain; first recorded in the 1600s, possibly related to an old word for "core," referring to what's left after coal is burned down.
Is “coke” a common word?
“Coke” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “coke” have?
“Coke” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a solid fuel made by roasting coal, used mainly in steelmaking.
What is the difference between coal and coke?
Coke is a solid fuel made by roasting coal with little or no air, which drives off gases and impurities and leaves material that is mostly carbon. Compared with raw coal, coke burns hotter and cleaner, which is why it is the standard fuel for steelmaking.
Why is coke used in steelmaking instead of coal?
Because coke is nearly pure carbon, it burns at a higher temperature with less smoke than raw coal. It is also strong and porous enough to support the load inside a blast furnace while supplying the carbon that helps turn iron ore into iron.
Is Coke short for Coca-Cola?
Yes. Coke is an informal shortening of Coca-Cola, and it is also a registered trademark of the company. In parts of the southern United States, "coke" is used even more loosely to mean any cola or soft drink regardless of brand.
Should coke be capitalized?
Capitalize Coke when referring to the Coca-Cola brand, since it is a trademark. Use lowercase coke for the fuel made from roasting coal, and for the informal drug slang sense; only the brand name takes a capital letter.
