corpse

noun

ˈkȯrps 

1

archaic : a human or animal body whether living or dead

2

a

: a dead body especially of a human being

b

: the remains of something discarded or defunct

the corpses of rusting cars

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Distinguishing Between Core and Corps and Corpse and Corp

These words are frequently confused despite their very different applications. Core and corps both rhyme with more. Core can be a noun, verb, or adjective, but is most often used as a noun to refer to the central or most important part of something (“the core of the issue,” “the Earth’s core”) or to the usually inedible central part of a fruit (“an apple core”). Corps has several meanings, all of which refer to some kind of group: “the Marine Corps,” “the press corps.” Its plural form is also spelled corps (“two corps of reporters”) but is pronounced just as cores is. Unlike in corps, The “p” in corpse and corp is pronounced. Corpse refers to a dead body, and especially to the dead body of a human. Corp is an abbreviation for “corporation” and “corporal.” Corp, corps, and corpse all trace back to the Latin word corpus, meaning “body.” The origin of core is obscure.

Synonyms of corpse

• carcass
• remains
• cadaver
• relics

Examples of corpse in a Sentence

a battlefield strewn with corpses

the startling discovery of a corpse required a call to the police

Recent Examples on the Web

The cemetery has been thrust into the spotlight after a Lancaster County man was accused of harvesting sets of human remains in the middle of the night, hoarding skulls, bones, and corpses, and then offering some of them for sale on his social media accounts. —Joe Holden, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026

Yorgos suggested Bugonia, which comes from an obscure Greek myth about a colony of bees that arises from the corpse of a cow. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026

The limited number of videos that have emerged show hundreds of corpses strewn across the floors of hospitals and morgues. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 Jan. 2026

Video shows corpses outside capital Meanwhile, video circulating online purports to show dozens of bodies in a morgue on the outskirts of Iran’s capital. —Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cors, corps, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin corpus "body" — more at midriff

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing corpse

• corpse flower
• corpse plant
• corpse pose

Rhymes for corpse

• warps

Kids Definition

corpse

noun

ˈkȯ(ə)rps 

: a dead body

Etymology

Middle English corps "human body," from early French corps (same meaning), from Latin corpus "body"

Medical Definition

corpse

noun

ˈkȯ(ə)rps 

: a dead body especially of a human being