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

Underwater photos and videos show the bow is now home to various coral, anemones, basket stars and other marine creatures. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2025

Travelers visiting this island should help protect it by choosing reef-safe sunscreen, avoiding contact with corals while swimming or snorkeling and refraining from standing on or collecting marine life. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

Coneflowers come in an array of brilliant colors ranging from hot pink to coral to lemony yellow. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 8 July 2025

Fakarava is home to approximately 800 inhabitants and a lagoon rich in plants and animals both above and beneath the water, including a unique kingfisher species, abundant coral, and sharks. —Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 30 June 2025

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