# coral

/ˈkɔɹəɫ/ (US) · /kˈɒɹəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coral
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. sea organism or structure

noun · CEFR B1

a hard substance formed in the sea by groups of tiny animals. It often looks like colourful underwater plants or rocks.

For teachers: a hard, stony substance secreted by certain marine coelenterates as an external skeleton, typically forming large reefs in warm seas.

- The divers were careful not to touch the coral while exploring the reef.
- Rising sea temperatures have led to widespread bleaching, a process where the coral expels the algae living in its tissues and turns completely white.

### 2. a colour

noun · CEFR B2

a bright colour that is a mix of pink, orange, and red.

For teachers: a yellowish-pink or orange-pink colour, named after the appearance of red precious coral.

- She chose a beautiful coral for the bridesmaids' dresses.
- The sunset painted the horizon in vibrant shades of coral and gold, reflecting perfectly off the calm surface of the bay.

### 3. made of or like coral

adjective · CEFR B2

made of coral or having its bright pink-orange colour.

For teachers: composed of coral or possessing the characteristic pink-orange hue of the substance.

- She wore a coral necklace that matched her summer hat.
- The boutique featured a collection of coral ornaments, though the owner assured customers they were sustainably harvested under strict regulations.

### 4. lobster eggs

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the eggs inside a female lobster, which turn bright red when cooked.

For teachers: the unfertilised eggs or ovaries of a lobster, which appear dark green when raw but turn a vivid red-orange upon being cooked.

- The chef used the lobster coral to add flavour and colour to the sauce.
- In classical French cuisine, the coral is often whisked into butter to create a rich, colourful base for seafood bisques.

## Examples

- The divers saw bright orange coral on the sea floor.
- Rising ocean temperatures are causing many coral reefs to lose their vibrant colors and die.
- The Great Barrier Reef is composed of thousands of individual coral systems that provide a critical habitat for a vast array of marine biodiversity.

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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.