cork
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a light, soft material that comes from the bark of a specific type of oak tree.
n.the buoyant, light, and waterproof bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber), used for various industrial and domestic purposes.
Simple“The floor in the kitchen is made of cork because it feels warm and soft under your feet.”
In context“The unique cellular structure of cork makes it an ideal material for thermal insulation and soundproofing in modern sustainable architecture.”
Synonymsbarkphellem - 02 B1 Intermediate
n.a small, round piece of wood or plastic used to close a bottle, especially a wine bottle.
n.a cylindrical stopper made of cork or a synthetic substitute, used to seal a bottle.
Simple“He pulled the cork out of the wine bottle with a loud pop.”
In context“The sommelier carefully inspected the cork for signs of mould or dryness before pouring the vintage wine for the guests.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a small object that floats on water to show a fisherman where his line is.
n.a float used in angling to keep a baited hook at a desired depth and to signal a fish's bite.
Simple“The boy watched his cork bobbing on the surface of the lake, waiting for a fish to bite.”
In context“Traditional anglers often prefer natural cork floats over plastic alternatives for their superior buoyancy and classic aesthetic.”
Synonymsfloatbobber - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to close a bottle by putting a cork or stopper in it.
v.to seal a container, typically a bottle, using a cork or similar stopper.
Simple“After the wine is bottled, machines cork the bottles and label them for sale.”
In context“The winery uses an automated system to cork thousands of bottles per hour, ensuring an airtight seal for every vintage.”
- 05 B1 Intermediate
n.a large city and county in the south of Ireland.
n.the second-largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the administrative centre of County Cork.
Simple“We spent three days in Cork and enjoyed the famous English Market.”
In context“As a major maritime hub, Cork has historically played a vital role in Ireland's international trade and shipping industries.”
UsageAlways capitalized when referring to the geographical location.
From Irish Corcaigh (“bog, marsh, swamp”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.