coral
KO-ruhl
Coral (noun) means a hard, often colourful structure built by tiny marine animals, or the animals themselves, that forms reefs in warm seas. Example: “Divers explored the coral reef teeming with fish.”
noun
1
A hard, often colourful structure built by tiny marine animals, or the animals themselves, that forms reefs in warm seas.
"Divers explored the coral reef teeming with fish."
"Warming seas can bleach the coral and leave it pale."
"Tiny creatures build coral slowly over many centuries."
2
A yellowish-pink colour resembling that of red coral.
"She painted the bedroom walls a soft coral."
"The sunset faded from gold to a delicate coral."
"I chose coral for the cushions because it warms the room."
adj
1
Having the yellowish-pink colour of coral, or made from coral.
"She wore a coral dress to the wedding."
"The shop sells coral lipstick in several shades."
"A coral necklace hung in the jeweller's window."
How to use coral
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the marine structure built by tiny sea animals, or the pinkish-orange colour named after it.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
coral reef
coral pink
coral bleaching
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Word forms
- Plural
- corals
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Divers explored the _____ reef teeming with fish.
Etymology
From Old French coral, from Latin corallium, from Ancient Greek korallion.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for coral
See all rhymes for coral →Frequently asked questions
What does “coral” mean?
The word “coral” means a hard, often colourful structure built by tiny marine animals, or the animals themselves, that forms reefs in warm seas. In plain terms, either the marine structure built by tiny sea animals, or the pinkish-orange colour named after it.
How do you pronounce “coral”?
“Coral” is pronounced KO-ruhl (/ˈkɔɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “coral” in a sentence?
Here is “coral” used in a sentence: “Divers explored the coral reef teeming with fish.”
What part of speech is “coral”?
Depending on how it is used, “coral” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “coral” come from?
The word “coral” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French coral, from Latin corallium, from Ancient Greek korallion.
Is “coral” a common word?
“Coral” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “coral” have?
“Coral” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hard, often colourful structure built by tiny marine animals, or the animals themselves, that forms reefs in warm seas.
Is coral a plant, animal, or mineral?
Coral is an animal, not a plant or rock. It is a hard structure built by tiny marine organisms, and colonies of these animals form reefs in warm seas over time.
What is the difference between coral and coral reef?
Coral refers to the animals themselves or the hard skeletal structure they build, while a coral reef is the much larger formation created when many coral colonies grow together. A reef is essentially a large, layered accumulation of coral over a wide area.
What does coral mean as a colour?
As a colour, coral describes a yellowish-pink shade resembling that of red coral. It is commonly used in fashion, design, and cosmetics to describe warm pink-orange tones.
Can coral be used as an adjective?
Yes, coral works as an adjective meaning either coloured like coral (a yellowish-pink hue) or made from coral material, as in a coral necklace.
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