corm: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical, Formal, Botanical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “corm” mean?
A short, vertical, swollen underground plant stem that stores food and acts as a reproductive structure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short, vertical, swollen underground plant stem that stores food and acts as a reproductive structure.
The bulb-like base from which certain perennial plants, such as crocuses and gladioli, regrow annually. In a broader, non-technical sense, it can refer to any compact, bulbous plant base.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the same term identically within botanical contexts.
Connotations
Purely technical and denotative in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Usage is confined to botanical, horticultural, and gardening contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “corm” in a Sentence
The [PLANT] grows from a corm.Plant the corm [DEPTH] deep.The corm [VERB: stores/produces/rots].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corm” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form exists]
American English
- [No standard verb form exists]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form exists]
American English
- [No adverb form exists]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective form exists. Use 'cormous' in technical contexts.]
American English
- [No standard adjective form exists. Use 'cormous' in technical contexts.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in botany, plant science, and horticulture textbooks and papers. (e.g., 'The study compared starch storage in corms versus tubers.')
Everyday
Rare, except in specific gardening discussions among enthusiasts. (e.g., 'You need to lift the gladiolus corms before the first frost.')
Technical
The primary context. Precise descriptions in botanical keys, gardening manuals, and agricultural guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corm”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “corm”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corm”
- Confusing 'corm' with 'bulb' or 'tuber'.
- Pronouncing it like 'charm' (/tʃɔːm/).
- Using it in non-plant contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A corm is a solid, swollen stem base (e.g., crocus). A true bulb is made of fleshy scales layered around a bud (e.g., onion). A tuber is a thickened, fleshy part of an underground stem or root, often with 'eyes' (e.g., potato).
Some corms are edible, like taro (Colocasia esculenta), but many ornamental corms (e.g., gladiolus, crocus) are not palatable and can be toxic.
Many corms naturally produce smaller corms (cormels or cormlets) around their base. These can be separated and planted to grow new plants, a form of asexual reproduction.
No, it is a specialised botanical term. In everyday gardening, people often use the more general word 'bulb' to refer to corms, tubers, and true bulbs collectively.
A short, vertical, swollen underground plant stem that stores food and acts as a reproductive structure.
Corm is usually technical, formal, botanical, academic in register.
Corm: in British English it is pronounced /kɔːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɔːrm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CORM as a CORE of stored energy for the plant, like a battery pack underground. It's CORMs that make CROcus flowers appear in spring.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CORM is a PLANT'S PANTRY (a storage unit for survival and regrowth).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a corm?