coal

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a glowing piece of wood or fuel in a fire.

n. a piece of glowing or charred wood, charcoal, or other solid fuel in a fire.

“We roasted marshmallows over the red coals of the campfire.”

“As the flames died down, the hikers huddled closer to the glowing coals to stay warm through the freezing night.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Computing Slang · Informal

n. very low-quality or boring content found on the internet.

n. a slang term used in online subcultures to describe content perceived as low-quality, forced, or unappealing.

“Don't bother clicking that link; it's just pure coal.”

“The forum was quickly overwhelmed by users posting coal, making it nearly impossible to find any meaningful discussion.”

C1 · Advanced Technical

v. to provide a ship or train with a supply of coal.

v. to supply a vessel or locomotive with coal; also used intransitively to describe the act of taking on such a supply.

“The steamship stopped at the port to coal before crossing the ocean.”

“The logistics of coaling a fleet of steam-powered warships required a global network of strategic supply stations.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Literary

adj. having a very dark black colour, like coal.

adj. of the colour of coal; jet-black. Usually used in the compound 'coal-black'.

“The cat had coal black fur that shone in the sunlight.”

“The stallion's coal coat provided a stark contrast to the white winter landscape through which it galloped.”