# corn

/ˈkɔɹn/ (US) · /kˈɔːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/corn
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. maize / yellow vegetable

noun · CEFR A1 · American English

a tall plant that produces large yellow grains on a cob, often eaten as a vegetable.

For teachers: the grain or the plant of Zea mays, a major cereal crop; in North American usage, it refers specifically to maize.

- We grilled several ears of corn at the barbecue last night.
- The vast fields of corn stretched toward the horizon, providing the primary source of income for the local farming community.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the crop or food in general; countable when referring to the individual ears.

### 2. local staple grain

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

the main grain crop grown in a specific country, such as wheat in England or oats in Scotland.

For teachers: the primary cereal crop of a region; historically used in British English to refer to wheat or other local grains.

- In the old days, the price of corn determined the cost of bread.
- The repeal of the Corn Laws in the nineteenth century was a pivotal moment in British economic history.

Teaching tip: Note that 'corn' means different things depending on the country; in the UK it is a general term for grain, while in the US it is specifically maize.

### 3. sentimental / cheesy

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Humorous

something like a joke, movie, or song that is too sentimental or old-fashioned.

For teachers: material that is trite, sentimental, or old-fashioned in a way that is perceived as uncool or embarrassing.

- The movie was full of corn, but I still enjoyed the happy ending.
- Critics dismissed the script as pure corn, citing its reliance on tired romantic tropes and predictable dialogue.

### 4. foot callus

noun · CEFR B2

a small, painful area of hard skin on your toe or foot.

For teachers: a local thickening of the skin, usually on or between the toes, caused by pressure or friction.

- He had to buy new shoes because his old ones were causing a corn on his toe.
- The podiatrist recommended specialized pads to relieve the pressure on the painful corn.

### 5. internet slang for porn

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

a word used on social media to talk about adult content without being blocked.

For teachers: an algorithmic euphemism used on social media platforms to bypass content filters when referring to pornography.

- Users often use the word corn on video apps to avoid getting their accounts banned.
- The rise of 'algospeak' has led to the adoption of terms like corn to discuss restricted topics on highly moderated platforms.

Teaching tip: This is a very modern internet-specific term; learners should be aware of it but avoid using it in any professional or academic context.

### 6. to preserve with salt

verb · CEFR B2

to preserve meat by using large grains of salt.

For teachers: to preserve food, especially beef, by curing it in brine or with coarse salt crystals.

- My grandmother used to corn her own beef for the holidays.
- The traditional method to corn the brisket involves a lengthy soaking period in a heavily seasoned brine.

## Examples

- We grilled fresh corn on the cob for the summer barbecue.
- Farmers in the Midwest harvest vast fields of corn every autumn to supply the food and fuel industries.
- The domestication of corn from the wild grass teosinte represents one of the most significant agricultural achievements in human history, fundamentally altering the diet of global populations.

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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.