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noun Common

colonel

KUR-nl
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Colonel (noun) means a senior military officer rank, typically just below a general. Example: “The colonel briefed the troops before the mission.”

noun
1
A senior military officer rank, typically just below a general.
"The colonel briefed the troops before the mission."
"She was promoted to colonel after fifteen years of service."
"The colonel inspected the guard of honour on the parade ground."

How to use colonel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA high-ranking military officer, just under a general.

Common mistake

The spelling has an "l" but it's pronounced like "kernel" — a famous quirk caused by the word passing through French and Italian on its way into English.

Easily confused with
kernel →
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Word forms

Plural
colonels
Third person singular
colonels
Past tense
coloneled, colonelled
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ briefed the troops before the mission.

Etymology

From Middle French coronnel, from Italian colonnello ("commander of a column of soldiers"), from Latin columna ("column, pillar"). The English spelling was later changed to match the Italian, but the older "r" pronunciation stuck, which is why "colonel" is pronounced like "kernel."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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commanding officer senior officer

Related words

commander commandant

Rhymes for colonel

Lionel
See all rhymes for colonel →

Frequently asked questions

What does “colonel” mean?
The word “colonel” means a senior military officer rank, typically just below a general. In plain terms, a high-ranking military officer, just under a general.
How do you pronounce “colonel”?
“Colonel” is pronounced KUR-nl (/ˈkɝ.nl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “colonel” in a sentence?
Here is “colonel” used in a sentence: “The colonel briefed the troops before the mission.”
What part of speech is “colonel”?
“Colonel” is a noun.
Where does the word “colonel” come from?
The word “colonel” comes from Latin.
Is “colonel” a common word?
“Colonel” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a colonel and a kernel?
They sound identical but are unrelated. A colonel is a senior military officer, ranking just below a general. A kernel is the edible seed or core of a nut or grain, or figuratively the central part of something. Both are pronounced "KER-nel," which is exactly why they are so often confused.
Why is colonel pronounced 'kernel'?
The odd pronunciation comes from the word's history. English borrowed it from two forms — the French "coronel" and the Italian "colonnello." The spelling followed the Italian, but the pronunciation followed the French, which had an "r" sound. We kept the "r" pronunciation and the "l" spelling, leaving today's mismatch.
What rank is a colonel?
A colonel is a senior commissioned officer, typically ranking just below a brigadier or general and above a lieutenant colonel. Colonels often command a regiment or another large unit of soldiers. It is one of the most senior field ranks, held by experienced officers, and exists in armies and air forces worldwide.
What is the difference between a colonel and a general?
A general outranks a colonel. A colonel is a senior field officer, often commanding a regiment, while a general sits among the highest ranks, commanding much larger formations such as divisions or entire armies. A colonel who keeps being promoted may eventually rise to general, who stands above them in the chain of command.

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