English Reference

Word

coffin

Phoneticscof·fin, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈkɔfɪn/

UK/kˈɒfɪn/

Definitions

01for burial

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a box that a dead person is put in before they are buried or burned.

n. a rectangular or hexagonal box in which a deceased person is placed for burial or cremation.

“The pallbearers carried the heavy wooden coffin slowly into the church.”

“The family selected a simple pine coffin, reflecting the modest lifestyle and environmental values of the deceased.”

Teaching tip

In American English, 'casket' is often used as a softer, more polite alternative to 'coffin'.

Synonyms

casketpall

02to place in a box

C2 · Proficiency Formal · Literary

v. to put a dead body into a coffin.

v. to place a corpse within a funerary box; often used in the passive voice.

“The body was coffined and prepared for the funeral service the next day.”

“Once the body had been properly coffined, the lid was sealed in preparation for the long journey back to the family estate.”

Usage

Usually transitive.

Synonyms

entomb

03nuclear waste container

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical

n. a strong container used to store or move dangerous nuclear waste.

n. a specialized, shielded container designed for the transport or long-term storage of radioactive materials.

“The nuclear waste was sealed in a lead-lined coffin for transport.”

“Engineers monitored the integrity of the steel coffin to ensure no radiation leaked during the decommissioning of the reactor.”

Synonyms

04horse's hoof

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. the hard, outer part of a horse's foot.

n. the hollow crust or horny shell of a horse's foot below the coronet.

“The vet checked the horse's coffin bone for signs of injury.”

“A deep infection within the coffin can lead to permanent lameness if not treated by a specialist farrier immediately.”

Teaching tip

This sense is almost exclusively used by veterinarians and horse experts.

Synonyms

Idioms

Domain

Mining

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/coffin

English Reference