cork: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal. As a material name and bottle closure, neutral. The verb 'to cork (up)' emotions is informal.
Quick answer
What does “cork” mean?
A light, buoyant, elastic material obtained from the bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus suber), primarily used as a bottle stopper.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A light, buoyant, elastic material obtained from the bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus suber), primarily used as a bottle stopper.
1) A bottle stopper made of this material or other substances. 2) (verb) To close or seal a bottle with a cork. 3) (verb, informal) To restrain or hold back emotions. 4) (Cork) A city and county in the Republic of Ireland.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. Minor differences in specific collocations (e.g., 'cork board' vs. 'noticeboard with cork'). The place name 'Cork' is more frequently referenced in UK/Irish media.
Connotations
Similar connotations of lightness, naturalness, and traditional wine/Champagne sealing. In sports (e.g., baseball/bat corking scandal), the connotation of cheating is more prominent in AmE.
Frequency
Comparably frequent. Slightly higher in BrE due to proximity to major cork-producing regions (Portugal, Spain) and traditional use in real ale.
Grammar
How to Use “cork” in a Sentence
[V] cork a bottle[V] cork sth (up)[N] made of cork[N] a cork from a bottleVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cork” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Don't forget to cork the port properly after serving.
- He tends to cork up his anger until it explodes.
American English
- She carefully corked the homemade kombucha.
- He's been corking up his grief for months.
adjective
British English
- We need a new cork board for the kitchen notices.
- The sample had a cork-like texture.
American English
- They installed cork flooring in the nursery.
- The jacket had cork-style insulation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In wine and spirits industry for closures; in sustainable materials sector.
Academic
In biology/botany (cork cambium, phellem); materials science (properties of cork).
Everyday
Discussing wine bottles, DIY projects, bulletin boards.
Technical
In oenology (wine science), construction (acoustic/thermal insulation).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cork”
- Using 'cork' as only a count noun for the material (e.g., 'a cork' vs. 'some cork').
- Confusing 'cork' with 'bark' (cork is a specific type of bark).
- Misspelling as 'corke' or 'kork'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both. As a material, it's uncountable (e.g., 'made of cork'). As an individual stopper, it's countable (e.g., 'three corks').
'Cork' means to seal with a cork. 'Uncork' means to remove a cork, to open. They are opposites.
Yes, it refers to the material itself, used for flooring, boards, insulation, and crafts. It's also a major city in Ireland.
Cork's elasticity, impermeability, and traditional use make it ideal for sealing wine bottles, allowing minimal oxygen exchange for aging.
A light, buoyant, elastic material obtained from the bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus suber), primarily used as a bottle stopper.
Cork is usually neutral to informal. as a material name and bottle closure, neutral. the verb 'to cork (up)' emotions is informal. in register.
Cork: in British English it is pronounced /kɔːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɔːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pop the cork (celebrate)”
- “cork up one's feelings (repress emotions)”
- “float like a cork (be very buoyant)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound a champagne bottle makes: 'POP goes the CORK!' The 'ork' rhymes with 'fork' – you use a corkscrew to pull out a cork.
Conceptual Metaphor
Cork as a metaphor for restraint/containment (corking up emotions) and for buoyancy/resilience (bobbing like a cork).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary botanical source of commercial cork?