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
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
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.”
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
- 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
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