What does "coral" mean?
Any of many species of marine invertebrates in the class Anthozoa, most of which build hard calcium carbonate skeletons and form colonies, or a colony belonging to one of those species.
Coral
/ˈkɒɹəl/ adj, name, noun, verb
adj, name, noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any of many species of marine invertebrates in the class Anthozoa, most of which build hard calcium carbonate skeletons and form colonies, or a colony belonging to one of those species.
- Grammar: coral is listed as adj, name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: calcareous skeleton, coral base, coral finish, coral hue.
- Useful contrasts: actinian, blue, colorless.
- Usage evidence: Coral reefs attract a variety of beautiful marine life.
How to use "coral"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "coral" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "coral" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "coral" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "coral" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "coral" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "calcareous skeleton" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "coral", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any of many species of marine invertebrates in the class Anthozoa, most of which build hard calcium carbonate skeletons and form colonies, or a colony belonging to one of those species. countable
- 2 Obsolete form of corral. alt-of, obsolete
- 3 marine colonial polyp characterized by a calcareous skeleton; masses in a variety of shapes often forming reefs wordnet
- 4 A hard substance made of the skeletons of these organisms. uncountable
- 5 a variable color averaging a deep pink wordnet
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 A somewhat yellowish orange-pink color; the color of red coral (Corallium rubrum) of the Mediterranean Sea, commonly used as an ornament or gem. countable
"The coral faded even from her lips, till they were as white as Leo's face, and quivered pitifully."
- 7 unfertilized lobster roe; reddens in cooking; used as garnish or to color sauces wordnet
- 8 The ovaries of a cooked lobster; so called from their color. countable, uncountable
- 9 the hard stony skeleton of a Mediterranean coral that has a delicate red or pink color and is used for jewelry wordnet
- 10 A piece of coral, usually fitted with small bells and other appurtenances, used by children as a plaything. countable, historical, uncountable
"On the very chair which I used to occupy when I was at work Marian was sitting now, with the child industriously sucking his coral upon her lap."
Verb
- 1 Obsolete form of corral. alt-of, obsolete
Adjective
- 1 Made of coral. not-comparable
- 2 Having the orange-pink color of coral. not-comparable
Adjective
- 1 of a strong pink to yellowish-pink color wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A census-designated place in McHenry County, Illinois, United States.
- 2 A female given name from English.
""Where are you from originally, Coral?" / "Indiana." / "Lots of Corals out there, I bet." / She hesitated, seemed about to flare, and then smiled instead, showing a little gap between two front teeth. "Well, it was Cora Lucille, I guess, " she said, still smiling, looking very much like a Cora Lucille in that moment."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Coral reefs attract a variety of beautiful marine life."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "coral"?
Common synonyms include: calcareous skeleton, coral base, coral finish, coral hue, coral material, coralline.
How do you use "coral" in a sentence?
Coral reefs attract a variety of beautiful marine life.
How do you pronounce "coral"?
Pronounced /ˈkɒɹəl/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Old French coral (French corail), from Latin corallium, from Ancient Greek κοράλλιον (korállion, “coral”). Probably ultimately of Semitic origin, compare Hebrew גּוֹרָל (goral, “small pebble”), Arabic جَرَل (jaral, “small stone”), originally referring to the red variety found in the Mediterranean. Since ancient times, a common folk etymology, accepted by some earlier scholars, connected the word instead to Ancient Greek κόρη (kórē) (referring to Medusa). Beekes mentions both theories and considers the Semitic one convincing.
Etymology 2
From coral.