cork
cork Lexical Profile
cork Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A cylindrical stopper made of cork or synthetic material, used to seal a bottle, especially a wine bottle.
"He used a metal corkscrew to carefully pull the cork from the vintage bottle of red wine."
The buoyant, elastic, light brown substance obtained from the outer bark of the cork oak tree, widely used for bottle stoppers, bulletin boards, and insulation.
"The bulletin board on her office wall is made of natural cork so she can easily pin up notes."
A major port city and county in the province of Munster in southwestern Ireland, situated along the River Lee near the Celtic Sea and serving as the country's second-largest city.
A small float attached to a fishing line or net to indicate when a fish bites or to keep the line suspended in the water.
"We watched the brightly painted cork bob up and down on the surface of the quiet pond."
• verb
To close or seal a bottle, flask, or container with a cork.
"Remember to cork the leftover olive oil tightly so it stays fresh in the pantry."
To hold back, restrain, or suppress emotions, speech, or feelings.
"He had to cork his frustration during the tense negotiation and remain diplomatic."
To blacken someone's face or skin with burnt cork, historically for theatrical makeup or camouflage.
"The night scouts used burnt wood and cork to cork their faces before crossing the field."
• Rhymes for cork
Word Origin & Etymology
Entered Middle English via Dutch or Low German from Spanish alcorque ('cork-soled shoe'), which was borrowed through Andalusian Arabic al-qurq from Latin quercus ('oak') or cortex ('bark').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.