What is coal? Pronunciation and usage in English

coal means . Learn how to pronounce and use coal through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of coal

coalnoun

/kəʊl/
Definition & pronunciation of coal

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "coal." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /kɔːl/ (rhymes with “ball”)

Let's break it down further:

  • "c" is pronounced like a "k" (as in "cat")
  • "oa" is pronounced like "aw" (as in “law”) – this is the key!
  • "l" is pronounced like the letter "l" (as in "lamp")

Here’s a helpful way to think about it:

Imagine you’re saying “cawl” (like a Welsh soup) and then quickly adding an “l” at the end.

Resources for hearing it:

  • Google Search: Type "how to pronounce coal" into Google and listen to the audio pronunciation.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/coal/ – This website lets you hear pronunciations by native speakers from different regions.

Do you want me to:

  • Explain any part of the pronunciation in more detail?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "coal"?

Usage and examples with the word coal in English

Let's break down how to use the word "coal" in English. It has several meanings and uses, ranging from the literal to the figurative. Here’s a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Literal Coal (The Rock/Mineral)

  • Definition: Coal is a black, combustible sedimentary rock formed from decayed plant matter over millions of years. It’s a fossil fuel.
  • Usage:
    • Describing the substance: "The miners extracted tons of coal from the mine."
    • Referring to its color: “He wore a coal-colored sweater.” (Describing the color of the garment)
    • Geological contexts: "The formation of coal is a complex process involving pressure, heat, and moisture."
    • Writing about energy: "Coal is a major source of energy for many countries.”

2. Coal (as Fuel)

  • Definition: The solid material, coal, that is burned for heat and power.
  • Usage:
    • Energy production: "The power plant burned coal to generate electricity."
    • Heating: “They used coal for heating their home.”
    • Industrial processes: "Steel mills often use coal to provide heat in their furnaces."

3. Figurative & Idiomatic Uses

This is where “coal” gets a bit more interesting and less common. These uses are often based on historical associations.

  • "To be in the doghouse" (or "in the coal bin"): This is the most common figurative meaning. It means to be in disgrace or not favored by someone, usually a spouse or partner.

    • Example: “He was in the doghouse after he forgot our anniversary.” (Equivalently: “He was in the coal bin.”)
    • Origin: Historically, a husband was sometimes responsible for stoking the coal fire in the hearth. If he neglected his duties, he'd be banished to a cold and uncomfortable “coal bin” (a storage space for coal) – thus, in disgrace.

  • "Splitting coal": (Less common) This idiom means to quarrel or argue. It’s a remnant of the "doghouse" idea – essentially, fighting like you're upsetting the household's warmth.

    • Example: "They were constantly splitting coal over minor disagreements."

4. Coal (As a noun in specific contexts)

  • Coal dust: The fine particles of coal released into the air during mining and processing. (e.g., "The mine was filled with coal dust.")
  • Coal seam: A layer of coal within a rock formation.
  • Coalfield: An area rich in coal deposits.

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Meaning Definition Example
Literal Rock A black, combustible sedimentary rock "The geologist examined the coal sample."
Fuel Solid material burned for energy "They burned coal to heat the building."
Figurative In disgrace/not favored “He’s in the doghouse because of his behavior.”
Figurative To quarrel/argue "They were constantly splitting coal."

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about when you want to use the word “coal”? (e.g., a school essay, a conversation, a story?)

Synonyms for the word coal

Idioms of the word coal

carry, take, etc. coals to Newcastle
(British English)to take goods to a place where there are already plenty of them; to supply something where it is not needed
    haul somebody over the coals
    to criticize somebody severely because they have done something wrong
    • I was hauled over the coals by my boss for being late.

    Practice with vocabulary coal

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. Many power plants still rely on ___ as a primary source of energy.
    2. The miners worked tirelessly to extract ___ from the underground tunnel.
    3. The company decided to invest in renewable energy instead of relying on ___.
    4. During the hike, we collected pieces of ___ to start a fire.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. Which of the following is a fossil fuel?
      a) Coal
      b) Solar
      c) Hydro
      d) Wind

    2. What is often used to generate electricity in traditional power plants?
      a) Coal
      b) Biogas
      c) Geothermal
      d) Nuclear

    3. Which material is commonly found in sedimentary rock layers?
      a) Limestone
      b) Granite
      c) Coal
      d) Marble

    4. Which of these is a synonym for "culminate"?
      a) Peak
      b) Coal
      c) Decline
      d) Begin

    5. What is the primary component of diamond?
      a) Carbon
      b) Coal
      c) Silicon
      d) Quartz

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: The company shifted its focus from oil to alternative energy sources.
      Rewrite: The company shifted its focus from coal to alternative energy sources.

    2. Original: The region is known for its abundant fossil fuel reserves.
      Rewrite: The region is known for its abundant coal reserves.

    3. Original: The fire was fueled by wood and other combustible materials.
      Rewrite: The fire was fueled by charcoal and other combustible materials.

    Answers

    Exercise 1:

    1. coal
    2. coal
    3. oil / gas (or other reasonable word)
    4. wood (or other reasonable word)

    Exercise 2:

    1. a) Coal
    2. a) Coal
    3. c) Coal
    4. a) Peak
    5. a) Carbon

    Exercise 3:

    1. The company shifted its focus from coal to alternative energy sources.
    2. The region is known for its abundant coal reserves.
    3. The fire was fueled by charcoal and other combustible materials.

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