Course
/kɔːrs/
Definitions
5 meaningsA way or direction followed; a planned series of actions.
/kɔːrs/
A planned or chosen series of actions or events leading to a particular end.
The ship remained on its original course.
💡 Simply: Think of a road. If you take a certain course, you're choosing which road to follow to get where you want to be. Like, "The course of the party was to get everyone to do Karaoke."
👶 For kids: It's like a path you follow, like the path the sun takes across the sky!
More Examples
The course of the disease was rapid.
The course of the investigation is still ongoing.
How It's Used
"The course of the river changed over time."
"The course of history was altered by the invention of the printing press."
A series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject.
/kɔːrs/
I am taking a course on web design.
💡 Simply: Like going to school. When you take a course, you're learning about something specific, like "a cooking course" or "a history course".
👶 For kids: It's like when you go to school to learn about something, like reading or science!
More Examples
The university offers a wide range of courses.
She completed a summer course in painting.
How It's Used
"She is taking a course in French literature."
"He enrolled in an online course to learn coding."
The ground or track on which a race is run; a prepared path.
/kɔːrs/
The ground or track on which a race is run.
The runners sprinted around the track on the running course.
💡 Simply: Think of the place where a race happens. It's called the course, like "The race was so exciting on the horse race course".
👶 For kids: It's like the track where cars or horses run in a race!
More Examples
She enjoyed playing golf on the well-maintained course.
The race car sped around the Grand Prix course.
How It's Used
"The horses galloped around the race course."
"He skillfully navigated the golf course."
To move or flow rapidly or freely.
/kɔːrs/
Blood coursed through his veins.
💡 Simply: When something courses, it's like it's flowing or moving quickly. Like, “Tears coursed down her face as she heard the news.”
👶 For kids: It's like when water flows fast down a stream!
More Examples
The river coursed through the valley.
Excitement coursed through the crowd.
How It's Used
"Tears coursed down her cheeks."
To move in a specific direction.
/kɔːrs/
The patrol boat was coursing the coast.
💡 Simply: When you course in a certain direction it means you are headed in that direction, like when a ship courses toward land.
👶 For kids: It's like going in a certain direction like a boat sailing on the water.
More Examples
The bus was coursing through the city.
The plane was coursing through the clouds.
How It's Used
"The ship was coursing towards the harbor."
Idioms & expressions
in due course
Eventually; at the appropriate time.
"The results of the exam will be announced in due course."
of course
Certainly; definitely; naturally.
"Of course, I'll help you with your project."
a course of action
A planned series of steps to take to achieve a goal.
"The company decided on a course of action."
run its course
To progress naturally, often used to refer to a process that must be completed.
"The illness was allowed to run its course."
From Old French *cours* 'running, flow', from Latin *cursus* 'a running, race, course', past participle of *currere* 'to run'.
The word 'course' has been used since the 13th century, evolving from its Latin root. It originally referred to movement and direction.
Memory tip
Imagine a river flowing in a specific COURSE, always heading toward the sea.
Word Origin
"a running, a race"