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

By sequencing corals and the algae that live inside them, researchers have identified colonies that naturally withstand higher temperatures and are beginning to test whether selectively breeding and growing those more resilient corals can support reef recovery. —ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026

While the volcanic islands like Tortola and Virgin Gorda tower with craggy cliffs that plunge dramatically into the sea, Anegada is famously flat; little more than crumbles of coral emerging from crystal-clear waves. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026

Fireflies, male seahorses, dark chocolate, cenotes, hummingbirds, coral, all make appearances—or are recurring characters—in these poems. —Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026

Pair warm pinks like coral, peach, and salmon with a mix of red, yellow, and orange flowers, and use bold cool magenta and fuchsia to complement violet, purple, and blue blooms. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 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