# Cory

/ˈkɔˌɹi/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. aquarium fish

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · Technical

a small, friendly catfish that lives at the bottom of a fish tank and helps keep it clean.

For teachers: any freshwater catfish of the genus Corydoras, popular in aquaria for their peaceful temperament and bottom-feeding habits.

- I bought three cory catfish to help clean the bottom of my new tank.
- The hobbyist added a small school of albino corys to the community tank, noting their active foraging along the sandy substrate.

Usage: Often used as a countable noun in the plural form 'corys' or 'cories' within the aquarium hobby.

## Examples

- I have a cory in my finger.
- She pulled a tiny cory from her cheek after the window broke.
- The surgeon removed the cory with tweezers, ensuring no infection would develop in the surrounding tissue.

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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.