Fork
/fɔːrk/
Definitions
3 meaningsAn implement with two or more prongs used for lifting food to the mouth or for other purposes such as gardening.
/fɔːrk/
An implement with prongs for eating or other purposes.
Please pass the fork.
💡 Simply: It's like a tiny hand that you use to pick up food! Imagine you're eating spaghetti – a fork is perfect for twirling it!
👶 For kids: A fork is like a little hand with pointy fingers that helps you eat your food!
More Examples
He used the fork to eat the pasta.
The gardener used a pitchfork to turn the soil.
How It's Used
"She used a fork to eat her salad."
"The farmer used a pitchfork to move the hay."
To divide or separate into two or more branches; to split into parts or directions.
/fɔːrk/
To divide or split into two or more branches or parts.
The road forks after the bridge.
💡 Simply: Imagine a road that splits in two – that's what it means when something 'forks'. Like choosing between two different activities!
👶 For kids: When something forks, it's like a road that splits in two directions!
More Examples
She had to fork her investments.
The river forks into two separate streams.
How It's Used
"The road forks to the left and right after the bridge."
"Faced with two job offers, she had to fork her decision."
To lift and convey with a fork.
/fɔːrk/
To take or pick up (food) with a fork.
He forked the potatoes onto his plate.
💡 Simply: When you're using a fork to eat, you are forking the food up into your mouth! Like when you fork your favorite pasta dish.
👶 For kids: When you fork food, you use your fork to pick it up and eat it!
More Examples
She forked the spaghetti with finesse.
Please fork a bit of the cake.
How It's Used
"She forked the salad onto her plate."
Idioms & expressions
fork over
To give something unwillingly or reluctantly, especially money.
"He had to fork over a lot of money to fix his car."
fork in the road
A critical point in a situation where a decision must be made between two or more options.
"The company faced a fork in the road: invest in new technology or cut costs."
From Old English *forca*, from Proto-Germanic *furkō* (compare German Gabel), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *perk- (meaning 'row, furrow'). Initially referred to a pitchfork, later evolving to encompass eating utensils.
The word 'fork' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to a pitchfork and later evolving to include eating utensils.
Memory tip
Think of the tines as the 'fingers' of the tool.
Word Origin
"furkō (meaning 'row, furrow')"