oak
ohk
Oak (noun) means a large deciduous tree with lobed leaves and acorns, valued for its strong wood. Example: “Children collected acorns beneath the huge oak at the edge of the field.”
noun
1
A large deciduous tree with lobed leaves and acorns, valued for its strong wood.
"Children collected acorns beneath the huge oak at the edge of the field."
"A squirrel ran up the trunk of the oak and vanished among the leaves."
"The old oak in the park has stood there for centuries."
2
The hard, durable wood of this tree.
"We chose oak for the floor because it lasts for many years."
"The barrels are made of oak, which gives the drink a rich flavour."
"The table was carved from solid oak."
How to use oak
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong, long-living tree known for acorns and tough timber, or the wood it produces.
Common pairings
oak tree
solid oak
oak barrel
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Word forms
- Plural
- oaks
- Third person singular
- oaks
- Past tense
- oaked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Children collected acorns beneath the huge _____ at the edge of the field.
Etymology
From Old English ac, going back through Proto-Germanic to a very old Indo-European root for the oak tree.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for oak
See all rhymes for oak →Frequently asked questions
What does “oak” mean?
The word “oak” means a large deciduous tree with lobed leaves and acorns, valued for its strong wood. In plain terms, a strong, long-living tree known for acorns and tough timber, or the wood it produces.
How do you pronounce “oak”?
“Oak” is pronounced ohk (/oʊk/ in IPA).
How do you use “oak” in a sentence?
Here is “oak” used in a sentence: “The old oak in the park has stood there for centuries.”
What part of speech is “oak”?
“Oak” is a noun.
Where does the word “oak” come from?
The word “oak” comes from Old English. From Old English ac, going back through Proto-Germanic to a very old Indo-European root for the oak tree.
Is “oak” a common word?
“Oak” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “oak” have?
“Oak” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large deciduous tree with lobed leaves and acorns, valued for its strong wood.
What is the difference between "oak" and "acorn"?
An "oak" is the large deciduous tree itself, or the strong wood it yields, while an "acorn" is the nut or seed the tree produces. Every acorn can grow into an oak, and every mature oak drops acorns.
What is the difference between "oak" and "wood" in general?
"Oak" names a specific hard, durable timber from the oak tree, prized for furniture and flooring, while "wood" is the general material from any tree. Oak is one type of wood, valued for its strength and grain.
What are common words that go with "oak"?
"Oak" pairs with "tree," "leaf," and "forest" for the plant, and with "solid," "aged," "barrel," and "beam" for the timber. "Solid oak" and "oak barrel" are common fixed phrases.
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