corona: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
High (post-2020); previously Low.Neutral to formal for astronomical/biological senses; highly colloquial and widespread for pandemic reference.
Quick answer
What does “corona” mean?
A crown or crown-like structure.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A crown or crown-like structure; a luminous circle of light around a celestial body; the outermost atmosphere of the sun visible during a total solar eclipse.
Since 2020, overwhelmingly used to refer to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Also refers to a type of cigar, a long, straight-sided cigar with a rounded end.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use 'corona' as shorthand for the pandemic/virus. Spelling of related terms differs: 'coronavirus' (both), but UK may use 'Covid-19' more formally in official communications.
Connotations
Strongly and primarily associated with the pandemic in both varieties. The astronomical sense is now specialist knowledge.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties from 2020-2023, with gradual decline as pandemic urgency receded, but remains a high-frequency word due to lasting societal impact.
Grammar
How to Use “corona” in a Sentence
the corona of [the sun/a star]during the coronatested positive for coronathe corona pandemicVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corona” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard as a verb. Use 'to have corona' or 'to catch corona'.)
American English
- (Not standard as a verb. Use 'to get corona' or 'to test positive for corona'.)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- The corona regulations were lifted last month.
- Corona-related absences affected the project.
American English
- The corona guidelines have been updated.
- We saw a corona spike in cases.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'Supply chains were disrupted during the corona pandemic.'
Academic
'The solar corona's temperature exceeds one million Kelvin.'
Everyday
'I think I caught corona from the office.'
Technical
'Corona discharge is an electrical phenomenon.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corona”
- Using 'corona' to mean just any virus (it's specific to SARS-CoV-2).
- Capitalising it when not referring to the brand: 'I had Corona' (beer) vs. 'I had corona' (virus).
- Confusing 'corona' (virus/disease) with 'coronary' (relating to heart arteries).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In everyday speech, yes, it's used interchangeably. Technically, 'corona' is short for 'coronavirus' (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the disease 'COVID-19'.
Its primary meanings were: 1) The luminous plasma atmosphere of the sun, 2) A crown or crown-like structure, 3) A brand of beer.
Only when referring to the specific beer brand 'Corona'. For the virus, pandemic, or astronomical feature, use lowercase.
No. The formal terms are 'SARS-CoV-2' (the virus) and 'COVID-19' (the disease). 'Corona' is a colloquial shorthand derived from 'coronavirus'.
A crown or crown-like structure.
Corona: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈrəʊ.nə/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈroʊ.nə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The corona of the situation (rare, metaphorical)”
- “Like a solar corona (describing a radiant appearance)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CORONA: A CROwn Of light, or a Nasty virus. Both can surround something (the sun, the globe).
Conceptual Metaphor
ENCIRCLEMENT/ENCAPSULATION (a crown encircles a head, a virus encircled the globe, light encircles the sun).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common contemporary meaning of 'corona'?