core
kaw
Core (noun) means the central or most essential part of something. Example: “The core of the problem is that nobody explains the rules clearly.”
noun
1
The central or most essential part of something.
"The core of the problem is that nobody explains the rules clearly."
"Honesty is at the core of a good relationship."
"The reactor's core generates the heat used to make electricity."
2
The hard central part of certain fruits, containing the seeds.
"Don't throw away the pear core; it can go in the compost bin."
"The child ate the whole apple, right down to the core."
"She cut around the apple's core before slicing it."
adj
1
Forming the most important or fundamental part of something.
"Reading and writing are core skills for almost every school subject."
"Her core beliefs have not changed since she was a student."
"Customer trust is a core value of the company."
verb
1
To remove the core from a piece of fruit.
"He used a small knife to core each pear before poaching it."
"I need a tool that will core these apples quickly."
"Core the apples before adding them to the pie filling."
How to use core
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe central, most important part of something, or the hard middle of a fruit.
Common pairings
core value
core curriculum
apple core
core issue
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Word forms
- Plural
- cores
- Third person singular
- cores
- Past tense
- cored
Fill the gap
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The _____ of the problem is that nobody explains the rules clearly.
Etymology
From Middle English "core," meaning the pith or heart of a fruit, ultimately of uncertain origin — possibly related to Old French "cuer" ("heart"), from Latin "cor."
Related words
Rhymes for core
See all rhymes for core →Frequently asked questions
What does “core” mean?
The word “core” means the central or most essential part of something. In plain terms, the central, most important part of something, or the hard middle of a fruit.
How do you pronounce “core”?
“Core” is pronounced kaw (/kɔɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “core” in a sentence?
Here is “core” used in a sentence: “Honesty is at the core of a good relationship.”
What part of speech is “core”?
Depending on how it is used, “core” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “core” come from?
The word “core” comes from Latin. From Middle English "core," meaning the pith or heart of a fruit, ultimately of uncertain origin — possibly related to Old French "cuer" ("heart"), from Latin "cor.".
Is “core” a common word?
“Core” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “core” have?
“Core” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the central or most essential part of something.
What is the difference between the 'core' and the 'crux' of something?
The core is the central, essential part of a whole — the part everything else surrounds or depends on. The crux is the single most important or decisive point, often of a problem or argument. A core can be large; a crux is usually one pivotal issue that determines the outcome.
What is an example of a core?
The word works literally and figuratively. Literally, the core is the hard center of an apple or the molten center of the Earth. Figuratively, it names the heart of anything — the core of an argument, a company's core values, or the core of a problem you need to solve.
What is the opposite of 'core'?
The opposite is the outer edge or surface — words like periphery, exterior, surface, or margin. Where the core is central and essential, the periphery is the outer, less important region. So the core of an issue contrasts with its peripheral or surface details.
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