coral

noun

cor·​al ˈkȯr-əl 

ˈkär-

1

a

: the calcareous or horny skeletal deposit produced by anthozoan or rarely hydrozoan polyps

especially : a richly red precious coral secreted by a gorgonian (genus Corallium)

b

: a polyp or polyp colony together with its membranes and skeleton

2

: a piece of coral and especially of red coral

3

a

: a bright reddish ovary (as of a lobster or scallop)

b

: a deep pink

coral adjective

coralloid

ˈkȯr-ə-ˌlȯid 

ˈkär-

adjective

Examples of coral in a Sentence

brightly colored fishes swimming among the coral

Recent Examples on the Web

This season’s Mediterranean theme was translated literally in the silk chiffon fil coupé fabrics handpicked from the archives of a historic silk mill in Como that featured designs from the ’60s and ’70s depicting starfishes and corals. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

That’s how many options Fwee Lip&Cheek Blurry Pudding Pot has, across nudes, corals, pinks, reds, mauves, and roses. — Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026

The captain drops the anchor near a reef where fan-like corals in shades of purple and gold overlap, creating what looks like an underwater metropolis. — Claire Turrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

Since joining, the aquarium has taken in more than 3,300 trafficked animals, including axolotls, corals, reptiles and fish. — John Donegan Long Beach Post, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin corallium, from Greek korallion

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing coral

• brain coral
• coral bells
• coral reef
• coral snake
• elkhorn coral
• fire coral
• red coral
• staghorn coral

Rhymes for coral

• aural
• chloral
• choral
• floral
• forel
• lauryl
• loral
• moral
• quarrel
• sorel
• sorrel
• toral

Kids Definition

coral

noun

cor·​al ˈkȯr-əl 

ˈkär-

1

a

: the stony or horny deposit that is composed of the skeletons of various polyps

especially : a richly red coral used in jewelry

b

: a polyp or polyp colony together with its membranes and skeleton

2

: a deep pink

coral adjective