Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. the sound made by a dog
2. a sailing ship with 3 (or more) masts
3. a noise resembling the bark of a dog
4. tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

Verb

1. tan (a skin) with bark tannins
2. make barking sounds
   • The dogs barked at the stranger
3. remove the bark of a tree
4. cover with bark
5. speak in an unfriendly tone
   • She barked into the dictaphone