noun
Uncommon
cork
kawk
Cork (noun) means the light, spongy bark of the cork oak, used to make bottle stoppers, flooring, and insulation. Example: “The bulletin board was made from a sheet of cork.”
noun
1
The light, spongy bark of the cork oak, used to make bottle stoppers, flooring, and insulation.
"The bulletin board was made from a sheet of cork."
"Cork floors feel warm and soft underfoot, and they absorb sound well."
"Cork is harvested from the bark of trees without cutting them down."
2
A stopper, especially for a wine bottle, traditionally made from this material.
"He struggled to pull the cork out of the bottle."
"The cork popped out with a loud bang and fizzed everywhere."
"Keep a spare cork so you can reseal the bottle after dinner."
verb
1
To seal a bottle with a cork.
"She corked the wine and put it back in the fridge."
"Please cork the bottle tightly before you put it in the bag."
"He corked the olive oil and wiped the drips from the glass."
name
1
A city and county in the south of Ireland.
"They flew into Cork for a weekend visiting family."
How to use cork
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBark-based material used for bottle stoppers and other uses, or the Irish city/county of the same name.
Common pairings
cork stopper
cork board
pop the cork
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Word forms
- Plural
- corks
- Third person singular
- corks
- Past tense
- corked
Fill the gap
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The bulletin board was made from a sheet of _____.
Etymology
From Middle Dutch "curc," probably from Spanish "corcho." A doublet of "cortex."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
uncork
Related words
Rhymes for cork
See all rhymes for cork →Frequently asked questions
What does “cork” mean?
The word “cork” means the light, spongy bark of the cork oak, used to make bottle stoppers, flooring, and insulation. In plain terms, bark-based material used for bottle stoppers and other uses, or the Irish city/county of the same name.
How do you pronounce “cork”?
“Cork” is pronounced kawk (/kɔɹk/ in IPA).
How do you use “cork” in a sentence?
Here is “cork” used in a sentence: “The bulletin board was made from a sheet of cork.”
What part of speech is “cork”?
Depending on how it is used, “cork” can be a noun, a verb and a name.
Where does the word “cork” come from?
The word “cork” comes from Dutch. From Middle Dutch "curc," probably from Spanish "corcho." A doublet of "cortex.".
Is “cork” a common word?
“Cork” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cork” have?
“Cork” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the light, spongy bark of the cork oak, used to make bottle stoppers, flooring, and insulation.
What is the difference between cork and a cork?
Cork, uncapitalized, refers to the light, spongy bark of the cork oak or a stopper made from that material, or to the act of sealing a bottle with one. Cork with a capital letter refers to a city and county in the south of Ireland.
What is cork made from?
Cork is made from the bark of the cork oak tree. Its light, spongy texture makes it useful for bottle stoppers, flooring, and insulation.
Can cork be used as a verb?
Yes, to cork means to seal a bottle with a cork, as in corking a wine bottle after it has been opened or filled.
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