bark
/bɑ:k/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- The sharp, loud sound made by a dog: A vocalization produced by dogs, often as a warning or in excitement.
- The tough outer covering of a tree: The protective layer of tissue on the outside of woody plants like trees and shrubs.
- A sailing ship with three or more masts: A specific type of historical sailing vessel.
- A short, explosive sound resembling a dog's bark: Any similar abrupt, loud noise.
Verb:
- To make the sound of a dog: To emit a bark.
- To speak or shout sharply or angrily: To utter words in a harsh, commanding tone.
- To remove the bark from a tree: To strip off the outer covering.
- To tan leather using tannins from tree bark: A specific process in leatherworking.
- To cover something with bark.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The dog's loud bark scared the intruder.
- The bark of the oak tree is rough and fissured.
- The old painting depicted a merchant bark.
- He jumped at the bark of the starting pistol.
Verb:
- The neighbor's dog barks every night.
- The sergeant barked orders at the new recruits.
- They had to bark the logs before using them for construction.
- Traditional methods bark the hides to make them durable.
Advanced Usage
"to bark up the wrong tree" (idiom): To pursue a mistaken or misguided line of thought or course of action; to be incorrect.
- If you think I took your book, you're barking up the wrong tree.
"his/her bark is worse than his/her bite" (idiom): Someone is not as aggressive or threatening as they seem from their words or demeanor.
- Don't be scared of the manager; his bark is worse than his bite.
Variants and Related Words
- Barker (noun): A person who stands outside a show or event, calling out to attract customers.
- Barky (adjective): Resembling or covered in bark.
- Debark (verb): To remove the bark from; also means to disembark from a ship or aircraft.
- Embark (verb): To go on board a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle. (Note: This is related to the ship meaning of 'bark').
Synonyms
- Noun (sound): Yap, woof, howl.
- Noun (tree covering): Rind, cortex.
- Verb (shout): Snap, snarl, yell.
- Verb (remove bark): Strip, peel.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Bark out: To say something quickly in a loud, sharp voice.
- He barked out a command.
Related Idioms
- "More bark than bite": Similar to "bark is worse than bite," describing something that seems threatening but is actually harmless.
- The new policy has more bark than bite; it won't really change anything.
Noun
- the sound made by a dog
- a sailing ship with 3 (or more) masts
- a noise resembling the bark of a dog
- tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
Verb
- tan (a skin) with bark tannins
- make barking sounds
- The dogs barked at the stranger
- remove the bark of a tree
- cover with bark
- speak in an unfriendly tone
- She barked into the dictaphone