cor anglais: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Formal
Quick answer
What does “cor anglais” mean?
A double-reed woodwind instrument, member of the oboe family, pitched a fifth lower than the oboe, known for its rich, mellow, and haunting tone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A double-reed woodwind instrument, member of the oboe family, pitched a fifth lower than the oboe, known for its rich, mellow, and haunting tone.
The instrument is a staple of the modern symphony orchestra and concert band, used for solo passages with a mournful or pastoral character. The term can also metonymically refer to the musician who plays it ("the principal cor anglais").
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is standard in both varieties. In informal US orchestral contexts, it is sometimes shortened to just 'English horn'. In the UK, the full French term is almost always used.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations. The US shortening 'English horn' may sound slightly less formal to British musicians.
Frequency
Equally frequent in professional musical contexts in both regions. 'English horn' is more common in general American discourse about music.
Grammar
How to Use “cor anglais” in a Sentence
[Musician] plays the cor anglaisThe [composition] features a cor anglaisThe cor anglais [verb: sings, wails, echoes]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in musicology, orchestration studies, and historical instrument research.
Everyday
Rare, except among musicians or classical music enthusiasts.
Technical
Standard term in orchestral scores, instrumentation guides, and professional musician discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cor anglais”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cor anglais”
- Misspelling as 'cor anglaise' (incorrect gender agreement).
- Pronouncing 'anglais' as /ˈæŋɡlɪs/ (like the English word 'English').
- Using 'an cor anglais' (incorrect article; use 'the cor anglais').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not. The name is a historical corruption of the French 'cor anglé' meaning 'angled horn'. It is a development of the oboe, with roots in European hunting horns.
The cor anglais is larger, pitched a perfect fifth lower, and has a pear-shaped bell, giving it a more mellow, nasal, and haunting tone compared to the brighter, more piercing sound of the oboe.
It evolved from earlier curved, horn-shaped oboes used for outdoor signalling. The term 'horn' (cor) refers to this historical shape, not to the modern brass instrument family.
In British English: /ˌkɔːr ˈɒŋɡleɪ/ (kawr ONG-glay). In American English: /ˌkɔːr ɑːŋˈɡleɪ/ (kawr ahng-GLAY). The 's' is silent.
A double-reed woodwind instrument, member of the oboe family, pitched a fifth lower than the oboe, known for its rich, mellow, and haunting tone.
Cor anglais is usually technical / formal in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an ANGEL playing a golden, curved horn in an ENGLISH garden. 'Cor Anglais' sounds like 'Core Angel' – the angelic core of the woodwind section.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE COR ANGLAIS IS A MELANCHOLY HUMAN VOICE (It sings, wails, laments, sighs).
Practice
Quiz
What is the standard British English term for the instrument known in American English as the 'English horn'?