What is corner? Pronunciation and usage in English

corner means . Learn how to pronounce and use corner through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of corner

cornernoun

/ˈkɔːnə/
Definition & pronunciation of corner

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "corner." It's a word that trips up a lot of English learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈkɔːn.ər/ (This is IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈkɔːn - This part is key. It sounds like "corn" (the food). The 'ɔː' (pronounced 'aw' as in 'law') is a long 'a' sound. It's not like the short 'a' in "cat."
  • ər - This is a short, unstressed 'er' sound, like the 'er' in "her" or "bird." Don’t linger on this sound.

Here's a more descriptive breakdown in plain English:

  1. "Corn" sound: Say the word "corn" as you would when you're talking about food.
  2. Add "er": Now, quickly add the sound "er" (like in "her") after the "corn" sound.

Tips and Considerations:

  • Don’t say "turner": Many people mistakenly pronounce it like "turner." This is a common mistake.
  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("kɔːn").
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken. Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce corner" on Google. You’ll find audio clips.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/corner/ - This website has pronunciations by native speakers from different regions.

To help me tailor my advice even more, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Different regions have slightly different accents.)

Usage and examples with the word corner in English

Let's break down how to use the word "corner" in English! It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings. Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. Physical Corners (Most Common)

  • Definition: The point where two surfaces meet. This is the most basic usage.
  • Examples:
    • "The corner of the table hit me." (Physical location)
    • "We sat in the corner of the room." (Location)
    • "He leaned against the corner of the bookshelf."
    • "The painting was hung in the corner."

2. Position/Situation (Often Negative)

  • Definition: A difficult or embarrassing situation; a predicament. Often implies being trapped or vulnerable.
  • Examples:
    • "He was in a financial corner." (Meaning he was in a tough financial situation)
    • "She found herself in a corner after arguing with her boss." (Meaning she was in a difficult social situation)
    • "The company is in a corner – they’re losing money and can’t find new customers."

3. Edges/Sides (Less Common, but Important)

  • Definition: The edge or side of something.
  • Examples:
    • "He picked up the book from the top corner."
    • "The corner of the map showed the route."

4. "Corner" as a Verb - To Turn

  • Definition: To turn sharply; to change direction.
  • Examples:
    • "The car cornered sharply."
    • "The horse cornered the track."
    • "Be careful when you corner the turn."

5. "Corner" as a Verb - To Trap/Enclose

  • Definition: To trap or enclose someone or something.
  • Examples:
    • "The police cornered the suspect." (Meaning they trapped the suspect)
    • "He was cornered by angry customers." (Meaning he was trapped by their anger)

6. "Corner" in Idioms & Phrases

  • "Corner office": A high-level executive’s office, usually with a large window and a prominent location. (Symbolizes power and status)
  • "Corner the market": To control a large portion of a market, often through monopolistic practices.
  • "Come to a corner": To arrive at a point where two paths or directions meet. ("I’ll come to a corner here.")
  • "Round the corner": Soon; in a little while. ("Don’t worry, the bus will be round the corner.")
  • "In the corner of my eye": Something you briefly see or notice. (“I thought I saw something in the corner of my eye.")

7. "Corner" as a Noun (Related to Angles/Shapes)

  • Definition: A particular angle in a shape.
  • Example: "The building has a distinctive corner design."

Here's a quick guide to help you choose the correct meaning:

  • Physical location? Use "corner" as a noun referring to the point where surfaces meet.
  • Difficult situation? Use "corner" as a noun meaning a predicament.
  • Turning? Use “corner” as a verb meaning to turn.
  • Trapping? Use “corner” as a verb meaning to trap.

To help me give you even more targeted information, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, studying English grammar?)
  • Are there any specific sentences you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word corner

Idioms of the word corner

(just) around/round the corner
(figurative)very near
  • Her house is just around the corner.
  • There were good times around the corner (= they would soon come).
be in somebody's corner | have somebody in your corner
to support and encourage somebody; to have somebody who supports and encourages you
  • He's been in my corner all these years and I can never thank him enough.
cut the corner
to go across the corner of an area and not around the sides of it, because it is quicker
  • There’s a worn patch on the grass because everyone cuts (off) the corner.
cut corners
(disapproving)to do something in the easiest, cheapest or quickest way, often by ignoring rules or leaving something out
  • To be competitive, they paid low wages and cut corners on health and safety.
fight your/somebody’s corner
(British English)to defend your/somebody’s position against other people
    have a soft corner for somebody/something
    (informal)to like somebody/something
    • She's always had a soft corner for you.
    in a (tight) corner/spot
    (informal)in a difficult situation
    • The captain's knee injury leaves the team in a tight corner.
    • She’ll always help if you’re in a tight spot.
    • This could put the banks in a corner.
    see something out of the corner of your eye
    to see something by accident or not very clearly because you see it from the side of your eye and are not looking straight at it
    • Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him coming closer.
    turn the corner
    to pass a very important point in an illness or a difficult situation and begin to improve
    • The country's economy has finally turned the corner.

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