Coal

Pronunciation: /koʊl/

Definitions of coal

noun a combustible black or dark brown rock consisting chiefly of carbonized plant matter, found mainly in underground deposits and widely used as fuel

Example Sentences

A1 Coal is a black rock that can be burned for heat or power.

A2 Many countries still rely on coal as a major source of energy.

B1 The coal industry has faced criticism for its impact on the environment.

B2 Coal mining can be a dangerous and physically demanding job.

C1 The government implemented new regulations to reduce coal emissions.

C2 Investing in clean energy alternatives is seen as a way to move away from coal dependence.

Examples of coal in a Sentence

formal Coal is a fossil fuel that is commonly used for electricity generation.

informal My grandfather used to work in the coal mines when he was younger.

slang I'm so tired, I feel like I've been coal mining all day.

figurative His heart was as black as coal after what he did.

Grammatical Forms of coal

• past tense: coaled
• plural: coals
• comparative: more coal
• superlative: most coal
• present tense: coal
• future tense: will coal
• perfect tense: have coaled
• continuous tense: is coaling
• singular: coal
• positive degree: coal
• infinitive: to coal
• gerund: coaling
• participle: coaled

Origin and Evolution of coal

First Known Use: 1000 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'coal' originated from the Old English word 'col' which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'kula'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to refer to burning charcoal or live coals, the word 'coal' evolved to specifically mean the solid carbonaceous material found underground that is used as fuel.