# bark

/ˈbɑɹk/ (US) · /bˈɑːk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bark
Updated: 2026-04-30

## Senses

### 1. dog sound

noun · CEFR A2

the short, loud sound that a dog or fox makes.

For teachers: the characteristic short, explosive vocalisation of a dog or related canine.

- The neighbor's dog gave a loud bark when the mail carrier arrived.
- A sudden, sharp bark from the guard dog echoed through the empty warehouse, alerting the security team to an intruder.

### 2. tree covering

noun · CEFR B1

the hard outer layer that covers the trunk and branches of a tree.

For teachers: the tough protective outer sheath of the trunks, branches, and roots of woody plants.

- The bark of the birch tree is white and feels like paper.
- The rough, deeply furrowed bark of the ancient oak served as a habitat for various species of moss and insects.

### 3. hard candy

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a type of hard chocolate or candy made in thin, flat sheets.

For teachers: a confection consisting of thin sheets of chocolate or other hardened sugar bases, often containing nuts or peppermint.

- We made peppermint bark by melting white chocolate and crushing candy canes.
- For the holiday gift baskets, she prepared a dark chocolate almond bark finished with a sprinkle of sea salt.

### 4. sailing ship

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

a type of ship with three or more masts.

For teachers: a sailing vessel with three or more masts, specifically one with the aftmast fore-and-aft rigged and others square-rigged.

- The wooden bark sailed across the ocean many years ago.
- The poet described the fragile bark tossed upon the stormy seas as a metaphor for the human soul.

### 5. to make a dog sound

verb · CEFR A2

to make the loud, short sound of a dog.

For teachers: to utter a short, explosive cry; used of dogs or in imitation of them.

- The dogs barked at the cat until it climbed up the tree.
- The hounds began to bark frantically as they picked up the scent of the fox near the edge of the woods.

### 6. to speak sharply

verb · CEFR B2

to shout or say something in a loud, angry, or quick way.

For teachers: to utter a command or remark in a loud, aggressive, or curt tone.

- The sergeant barked orders at the new soldiers on the first day.
- The manager barked a series of instructions at the staff before rushing out to meet the client.

### 7. to scrape skin

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to accidentally rub the skin off your knee or elbow.

For teachers: to abrade or scrape the skin from a part of the body through impact or friction.

- He barked his shin against the coffee table in the dark.
- The athlete barked his knuckles against the rough concrete wall during the final sprint of the obstacle course.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.