coral tree: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Scientific, Horticultural
Quick answer
What does “coral tree” mean?
Any of various trees, especially of the genus Erythrina, having showy clusters of red or coral-coloured flowers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Any of various trees, especially of the genus Erythrina, having showy clusters of red or coral-coloured flowers.
A term used for ornamental trees, often in warm climates, known for their vibrant, nectar-rich flowers that attract birds. Also refers to materials or objects with a colour resembling coral.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The tree is less common in the UK due to climate, making the term more frequent in American (especially Californian, Floridian) and Commonwealth (e.g., Australian, South African) contexts.
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes exoticism, botanic gardens, or conservatories. In the US (e.g., California, Hawaii), it is a more familiar ornamental and street tree.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English and other English varieties in subtropical/tropical regions.
Grammar
How to Use “coral tree” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] coral tree [VERB] in the garden.We admired the [COLOUR] flowers of the coral tree.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coral tree” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The garden will be coral-treed along the perimeter.
American English
- They plan to coral-tree the parkway for spring colour.
adjective
British English
- The coral-tree blossoms were a magnet for bees.
American English
- We selected a coral-tree variety for the coastal climate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in landscaping, horticulture, or tourism (e.g., 'The resort is landscaped with native coral trees.').
Academic
Used in botany, ecology, and horticulture papers describing species, distribution, or pollination.
Everyday
Used by gardeners, nature enthusiasts, or in descriptions of landscapes in warm regions.
Technical
Precise taxonomic reference to genus Erythrina, discussing morphology, hybridisation, or disease resistance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coral tree”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coral tree”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coral tree”
- Misspelling as 'corral tree' (a corral is an enclosure for animals).
- Using 'coral' as an uncountable noun for the tree (e.g., 'a coral' is wrong; it's 'a coral tree').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are completely different. A coral tree is a terrestrial flowering plant. A coral reef is an underwater marine ecosystem formed by colonies of tiny animals.
They thrive in subtropical and tropical climates worldwide, often used as ornamental trees in regions like California, Florida, South Africa, Australia, and the Mediterranean.
Yes, many species contain toxic alkaloids, particularly in the seeds. They should not be ingested by humans or pets.
The trees produce copious nectar in their brightly coloured flowers, which are specifically adapted for bird pollination (ornithophily).
Any of various trees, especially of the genus Erythrina, having showy clusters of red or coral-coloured flowers.
Coral tree is usually formal, scientific, horticultural in register.
Coral tree: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒr.əl triː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːr.əl triː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None commonly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tree wearing a necklace of bright red coral – that's a CORAL TREE.
Conceptual Metaphor
TREE IS A JEWELLER (producing coral-like gems/flowers).
Practice
Quiz
What is a primary characteristic of a coral tree?