Barks
/bɑːrks/
verbBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
To utter a short, sharp cry, typically a dog.
/bɑːrks/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To make a sharp, short sound.
The dog barks loudly.
💡 Simply: To make a dog sound.
More Examples
2
He barks orders at his employees.
How It's Used
Animals
"The dog barks at strangers."
Figurative
"The news barked at him from the radio."
2
The outer layer of the stem and branches of a tree or shrub.
/bɑːrk/
nounneutralBeginner
General
The tough outer covering of a tree.
The old oak tree had thick, rough bark.
💡 Simply: The outside of a tree.
More Examples
2
The children peeled the bark off the twigs.
How It's Used
Botany
"The tree's bark was rough and cracked."
Tip:Think of the tough outer layer of a tree.
From Old English *beorcan, related to Old High German *berchan.
The word 'bark' has been used in reference to both the sound and the tree covering for centuries.
Memory tip
Think of a dog's sharp sound.
Practice
Base: bark
barks'barkes
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written