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

Rooms have a casual glamour with Filipino touches of capiz shell, mother of pearl, coral, and sea shells. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026

At least 560,000 corals died within a third of a mile of the dredging, and more probably died as sediment drifted miles away, according to the 2019 study. —Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026

Drop into Mayreau Gardens to explore a renowned reef formation that hides corals and marine life in every tropical hue. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026

Merit’s Flush Balm offers a similarly sheer yet vibrant payoff, with the shade Lusitano standing out as an especially flattering coral. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 Feb. 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