coral

¹

[ kawr-uhl, kor- ]

noun

1. the hard, variously colored, calcareous skeleton secreted by certain marine polyps.
2. such skeletons collectively, forming reefs, islands, etc.
3. the solitary or colonial polyp that secretes this calcareous skeleton.
4. a reddish yellow; light yellowish red; pinkish yellow.
5. the unimpregnated roe or eggs of the lobster that when boiled take on the color of red coral.
6. something made of coral, as an ornament, piece of jewelry, or a child's toy.

adjective

1. made of coral:

   a coral reef; coral ornamentation.

2. making coral:

   a coral polyp.

3. resembling coral, especially in color; yellowish-red.

Coral

²

[ kawr-uhl, kor- ]

noun

1. a female given name.

coral

/ ˈkɒrəl /

noun

1. any marine mostly colonial coelenterate of the class Anthozoa having a calcareous, horny, or soft skeleton See also stony coral sea fan
2. 1. the calcareous or horny material forming the skeleton of certain of these animals
   2. ( as modifier ) See also red coral

      a coral reef

3. 1. a rocklike aggregation of certain of these animals or their skeletons, forming an island or reef
   2. ( as modifier )

      a coral island

4. 1. an object made of coral, esp a piece of jewellery
   2. ( as modifier )

      a coral necklace

5. 1. a deep-pink to yellowish-pink colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      coral lipstick

6. the roe of a lobster or crab, which becomes pink when cooked

coral

/ kôr′əl /

1. 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.
2. 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.

Other Words From

• coral·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coral¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of coral¹

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

Example Sentences

However, they are also among its most vulnerable, with areas of coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds under increasing threat from a wide range of human activities.

From Science Daily

Yet as coral reef ecologist Alexandra Dempsey explored the atolls’ beautiful coral reefs in 2015, she nevertheless found signs of human pollution.

From Salon

The mega coral - which is a collection of many connected, tiny creatures that together form one organism rather than a reef - could be more than 300 years old.

From BBC

California moray eels live in coral reefs from Point Conception in Santa Barbara County to southern Baja California in Mexico, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

From Los Angeles Times

On the deep seafloor, rough volcanic terrain harbors corals, sponges and fish.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cardinal
• crimson
• flaming
• glowing
• maroon
• rose
• wine