# corner

/ˈkɔɹnɝ/ (US) · /kˈɔːnɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. where two lines meet

noun · CEFR A2

the place where two walls, lines, or streets meet.

For teachers: the point or area where two converging lines, surfaces, or edges meet; an angle.

- The desk fits perfectly in the corner of the room.
- The architect designed a glass corner for the building to maximize the natural light entering the workspace from two directions.

### 2. a difficult situation

noun · CEFR B2

a difficult situation where it is hard to escape or make a choice.

For teachers: a position of difficulty or embarrassment from which escape is difficult.

- His lies finally backed him into a corner.
- The sudden withdrawal of funding painted the executive into a corner, leaving her with no choice but to resign.

### 3. market control

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

having enough control over a product or stock to change its price.

For teachers: a sufficient interest in a salable security or commodity to allow the party to influence or manipulate prices.

- The company has a corner on the local coffee market.
- By quietly acquiring smaller competitors, the conglomerate established a corner on the rare-earth minerals market.

### 4. football/soccer kick

noun · CEFR B1

a free kick from the corner of the field in football.

For teachers: a corner kick awarded to the attacking team when the ball leaves the field of play over the goal line.

- The striker scored a goal directly from a corner.
- The defender headed the ball behind the goal line, conceding a corner in the final minute of the match.

### 5. to trap someone

verb · CEFR B2

to force a person or animal into a place they cannot escape from.

For teachers: to drive or force a person or animal into a confined space or a position from which escape is impossible.

- The police cornered the suspect in an alleyway.
- The reporters cornered the politician outside the courthouse, demanding a statement regarding the recent scandal.

### 6. driving around a curve

verb · CEFR B2

to drive a car or bike around a curve or corner.

For teachers: to handle or manage a vehicle while moving around a curve or corner in a road.

- The sports car corners very well even at high speeds.
- The motorcycle was designed to corner aggressively, allowing the rider to maintain momentum through tight hairpins.

## Examples

- The bakery is on the corner of the street.
- The company managed to corner the market on lithium batteries, leaving their competitors with few suppliers.
- By securing exclusive rights to the raw materials, the firm effectively backed its rivals into a corner, forcing them to negotiate from a position of significant weakness.

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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.