Bark
/bɑːrk/
nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Idiom
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
The tough outer covering of a woody plant stem.
/bɑːrk/
nounneutralBeginner
General
The outer covering of a tree
The bark of the old willow tree was deeply furrowed.
💡 Simply: The outside of a tree.
More Examples
2
We collected pieces of bark for our art project.
How It's Used
Botany
"The oak tree had rough, thick bark."
2
To make a short, sharp cry, typically by a dog.
/bɑːrk/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To make a sharp, loud cry
The dogs barked all night.
💡 Simply: To make a dog sound.
More Examples
2
He barked orders at his men.
How It's Used
Animals
"The dog barked at the stranger."
Tip:Associate the sound with the action.
Idioms & expressions
up the creek without a paddle
In a difficult situation with no way out.
"Without a car, we were up the creek without a paddle."
From Old English *beorc, meaning the outer covering of a tree. The verb sense developed later.
The word 'bark' in reference to tree covering has been used consistently since Old English times.
Memory tip
Think of a dog's bark - it's the outer layer, just like tree bark.
Practice
barkebarkk
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written