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Coals Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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coals

[koÊŠlz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

burning material

Coals are hot, glowing pieces of wood or other material that are used to produce heat and light.

Synonyms

ashes, cinders, embers.

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Word Description / Examples
coals

Refers to pieces of carbonaceous material, typically used for fuel or grilling.

  • We need to add more coals to the barbecue for it to stay hot.
  • He shoveled the coals into the forge to increase the heat.
embers

Refers to glowing remains of a fire that can still generate heat and light, often used in literary contexts to signify lingering emotions or memories.

  • The embers in the fireplace provided a soft, warm glow.
  • As the argument cooled, the embers of their passionate relationship still burned in their hearts.
ashes

Refers to the residue left after something is burned, often used in a metaphorical context to signify the remnants of something destroyed or past.

  • After the fire was extinguished, only ashes remained.
  • She looked at the ashes of her burned-down house with tears in her eyes.
cinders

Refers to partially burned pieces of coal or wood that are no longer flaming but still have some heat.

  • Mind your step around the fire pit; there are still some hot cinders.
  • The cinders from the campfire remained warm long after the flames died down.

Examples of usage

  • The fire was dying down, so she added more coals to keep it going.
  • He warmed his hands by the coals of the fireplace.
Context #2 | Noun

fuel for fire

Coals are mineral fuel consisting of carbonized plant matter, found in underground deposits and used as fuel.

Synonyms

anthracite, bituminous coal, lignite.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
coals

Used when referring to the general form of combustible rock composed of carbonized plant matter. Often used in plural form to describe the material burnt in stoves or grills.

  • We need to add more coals to the barbecue to keep it hot.
  • The blacksmith used red-hot coals to shape the metal.
anthracite

Refers to a hard, compact variety of coal that has the highest energy content among all types of coal, containing the highest percentage of carbon. It's often used for heating and in industrial applications due to its low smoke output.

  • Anthracite is preferred for heating homes because it burns cleaner and longer.
  • The power plant uses anthracite due to its high efficiency.
bituminous coal

Describes a medium-grade coal with a high carbon content and a higher heating value compared to lignite but lower than anthracite. Commonly used for electricity generation and in the steelmaking industry.

  • Bituminous coal is widely used in electricity generation plants.
  • The steel industry relies on bituminous coal for its coking properties.
lignite

Represents the lowest rank of coal, also known as brown coal, with the least amount of carbon and highest moisture content. Typically used for electricity generation but less efficient and more polluting compared to other coal types.

  • Lignite is often used in power plants located near its source due to its low energy density.
  • Some countries have significant reserves of lignite, which they use for cheap electricity despite its environmental impact.

Examples of usage

  • The miners dug deep to extract coal from the earth.
  • The power plant burns coal to generate electricity.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'coals'

The word 'coals' originated from the Old English word 'col', which meant 'charcoal'. Coal has been used as a source of heat and energy for centuries, with evidence of its use dating back to ancient civilizations. The industrial revolution saw a significant increase in the mining and use of coal as a fuel source, leading to its widespread adoption in various industries.

See also: coal, coalition.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,517 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.