A1 noun Neutral #2,156 most common

corn

/kɔːrn/

Corn is a tall plant that produces yellow grains on a large cob, which are eaten as a vegetable or ground into flour. It is one of the most popular cereal grains in the world and is a staple food in many cultures.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I love eating boiled corn with butter for dinner.

I love eating boiled corn with butter for dinner.

2

The agricultural department reports a significant increase in corn production this year.

The agricultural department reports a significant increase in corn production this year.

3

Pass me that bowl of corn, will you?

Pass me that bowl of corn, will you?

Word Family

Noun
corn
Verb
corn
Adjective
corny
Related
cornstarch
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the bright yellow kernels; the word 'corn' sounds like the 'core' or center of the cob.

Quick Quiz

Pass me the butter for my ____ on the cob.

Correct!

The correct answer is: corn

Examples

1

I love eating boiled corn with butter for dinner.

everyday

I love eating boiled corn with butter for dinner.

2

The agricultural department reports a significant increase in corn production this year.

formal

The agricultural department reports a significant increase in corn production this year.

3

Pass me that bowl of corn, will you?

informal

Pass me that bowl of corn, will you?

4

Corn is a primary ingredient in many processed food products across North America.

academic

Corn is a primary ingredient in many processed food products across North America.

5

The global corn market is experiencing price fluctuations due to the drought.

business

The global corn market is experiencing price fluctuations due to the drought.

Word Family

Noun
corn
Verb
corn
Adjective
corny
Related
cornstarch

Common Collocations

corn on the cob corn on the cob
sweet corn sweet corn
corn flour corn flour
canned corn canned corn
corn field corn field

Common Phrases

corn on the cob

corn served on its central cylinder

corny joke

a joke that is silly or old-fashioned

corn belt

the region in the US where corn is a major crop

Often Confused With

corn vs maize

Maize is the technical or British term, while corn is the common American term for the same plant.

corn vs grain

Grain is a general category for all cereal crops; corn is one specific type of grain.

📝

Usage Notes

In American English, 'corn' specifically refers to maize. In British English, 'corn' can historically refer to any cereal crop like wheat or barley, though 'sweetcorn' is used for the yellow food.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Avoid using 'corns' as a plural when talking about the food; it is usually uncountable when referring to the grain itself.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the bright yellow kernels; the word 'corn' sounds like the 'core' or center of the cob.

📖

Word Origin

From Old English 'corn', originally meaning any small hard seed or grain.

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun (referring to the food) countable noun (referring to the individual plant) attributive noun (used before other nouns like 'corn field')
🌍

Cultural Context

Corn is a staple of indigenous American diets and is central to holidays like Thanksgiving in the United States.

Quick Quiz

Pass me the butter for my ____ on the cob.

Correct!

The correct answer is: corn

More Food words

rice

A1

Rice is a small, hard grain that comes from a grass plant and is used as a staple food. It is usually boiled or steamed to make it soft and edible, and it is a major food source for much of the world's population.

cereal

A1

Cereal is a food made from grain, such as wheat, corn, or oats, that is usually eaten for breakfast. It is typically served in a bowl and mixed with milk or yogurt.

yogurt

A1

Yogurt is a soft, creamy food made from milk that has been fermented with healthy bacteria. It is commonly eaten as a snack or breakfast food and can be found in many flavors like strawberry or vanilla.

cream

A1

Cream is the thick, fatty part of milk that rises to the top or is separated by a machine. It is commonly used in cooking, baking, and as a rich addition to beverages like coffee.

snack

A1

A snack is a small amount of food eaten between main meals such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is typically something quick to prepare and easy to consume when you feel a little hungry.

cup

A1

A small, open container used for drinking liquids, usually featuring a handle. It can also refer to a specific unit of measurement used in cooking and baking.

glass

A1

A container made of glass, without a handle, used for drinking liquids. It also refers to the hard, clear, breakable material used to make windows and bottles.

fork

A1

A tool with a handle and several narrow metal points used for picking up and eating food. It is one of the most common utensils found in a kitchen or restaurant setting.

spoon

A1

A kitchen tool with a shallow bowl at the end of a handle, used for eating, stirring, or serving food. It is most commonly used for liquids like soup or small foods like rice and cereal.

waiter

A1

A person, usually a man, who works in a restaurant and serves food and drinks to customers at their tables. They take orders, answer questions about the menu, and provide the bill at the end of the meal.

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