coal
noun
a black or dark-brown combustible mineral substance consisting of carbonized vegetable matter, used as a fuel.
coals
-
pluralof coal.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A startup CEO recently got raked over the internet’s coals for bringing a tattoo artist to a party and offering job interviews to anyone willing to get inked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
One told a boss about red hot coals and smoldering ash.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026
Before, his customers were primarily pizzerias or grilled-meat restaurants, who cook over coals; now they are families.
From Barron's ● Feb. 11, 2026
Why do you rake yourself over the coals for every last cent you have spent, and second-guess every move?
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 10, 2025
Now and then she doused the coals and carved away the blackened bits with Uncle Kufa’s knife.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
