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

Essie Peach Side Babe $10 at Amazon $28 $12 at Walmart $10 at Ulta Somewhere between baby pink and coral, this vibrant peach pink is flattering and fun for both your fingers and toes. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 June 2025

Colorful schools of fish moved around vibrant corals while the sun shone through, glittering like a stained glass window set aflame by the sun. —Mariana Zapata, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2025

The organization has cultivated more than 100,000 corals across 52 species. —Simon Perry, People.com, 8 June 2025

Major ocean currents can carry baby corals to temperate seas. —Noam Vogt-Vincent, The Conversation, 6 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