coral

[ kawr-uh l, kor- ]
/ ˈkɔr əl, ˈkɒr- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR coral ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

adjective

Origin of coral

1275–1325; Middle English coral(l) < Latin corāll(i)um < Greek korā́llion red coral, equivalent to korall- (< Semitic; compare Hebrew gōrāl pebble) + -ion diminutive suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM coral

cor·al·like, adjective

Words nearby coral

coracoclavicular ligament, coracohumeral, coracoid, coracoid process, coraji, coral, coral bells, coral calculus, coral fern, coral fungus, coral gables

Definition for coral (2 of 2)

Coral
[ kawr-uh l, kor- ]
/ ˈkɔr əl, ˈkɒr- /

noun

a female given name.

Words related to coral

glowing, rose-colored, rose, flaming, maroon, cardinal, crimson, wine, tumor, cantaloupe, bittersweet, titian, peach, apricot, salmon, carrot, tangerine, flush, blush, fuchsia

Example sentences from the Web for coral

British Dictionary definitions for coral

coral
/ (ˈkɒrəl) /

noun

any marine mostly colonial coelenterate of the class Anthozoa having a calcareous, horny, or soft skeleton See also stony coral, sea fan
  1. the calcareous or horny material forming the skeleton of certain of these animals
  2. (as modifier)a coral reef See also red coral
  1. a rocklike aggregation of certain of these animals or their skeletons, forming an island or reef
  2. (as modifier)a coral island
  1. an object made of coral, esp a piece of jewellery
  2. (as modifier)a coral necklace
  1. a deep-pink to yellowish-pink colour
  2. (as adjective)coral lipstick
the roe of a lobster or crab, which becomes pink when cooked

Word Origin for coral

C14: from Old French, from Latin corāllium, from Greek korallion, probably of Semitic origin

Scientific definitions for coral

coral
[ kôr′əl ]

Any of numerous small, sedentary cnidarians (coelenterates) of the class Anthozoa. Corals often form massive colonies in shallow sea water and secrete a cup-shaped skeleton of calcium carbonate, which they can retreat into when in danger. Corals are related to the sea anemones and have stinging tentacles around the mouth opening that are used to catch prey.
A hard, stony substance consisting of the skeletons of these animals. It is typically white, pink, or reddish and can form large reefs that support an abundance of ocean fish.