coal
coal Lexical Profile
coal Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A combustible black or dark brown sedimentary rock consisting mainly of carbonized plant matter, found primarily in underground deposits and widely used as an energy source and fuel.
"The industrial revolution was largely powered by the burning of coal to generate steam."
A glowing, smoldering, or charred piece of solid fuel, such as wood, remaining from a dying fire.
"He roasted the marshmallows carefully over the hot coals."
• verb
To provide a ship, locomotive, or engine with a supply of coal for fuel.
"The steamship stopped at the island port to coal before crossing the Pacific Ocean."
To burn or carbonize wood or other organic matter down to charcoal.
"The artisans coaled the oak branches in an earthen mound to produce high-quality charcoal for the forge."
Word Nuance & Usage
The noun 'coal' is used uncountably when referring to the mineral resource as a whole, but is countable when referring to individual glowing pieces or embers in a fire ('raking the hot coals').
• Rhymes for coal
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'col', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'kool' and German 'Kohle', ultimately from an Indo-European root meaning 'to burn' or 'to glow'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.