coffin
- 01 B1 Intermediate
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.
Simple“The pallbearers carried the heavy wooden coffin slowly into the church.”
In context“The family selected a simple pine coffin, reflecting the modest lifestyle and environmental values of the deceased.”
Teacher's tipIn American English, 'casket' is often used as a softer, more polite alternative to 'coffin'.
Synonymscasketpall - 02 C2 Proficiency
v.to put a dead body into a coffin.
v.to place a corpse within a funerary box; often used in the passive voice.
Simple“The body was coffined and prepared for the funeral service the next day.”
In context“Once the body had been properly coffined, the lid was sealed in preparation for the long journey back to the family estate.”
UsageUsually transitive.
Synonymsentomb - 03 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“The nuclear waste was sealed in a lead-lined coffin for transport.”
In context“Engineers monitored the integrity of the steel coffin to ensure no radiation leaked during the decommissioning of the reactor.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The vet checked the horse's coffin bone for signs of injury.”
In context“A deep infection within the coffin can lead to permanent lameness if not treated by a specialist farrier immediately.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is almost exclusively used by veterinarians and horse experts.
Synonyms