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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Bark: Two Meanings, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：to make a sharp dog sound (bark)

bark 🔊

/bɑːk/

vi./n.

the short, loud sound that a dog makes.

Dog barking illustration showing a friendly dog vocalizing in a sunny backyard.

to make a sharp dog sound 🔊

➕

/tuː meɪk ə ʃɑːp dɒɡ saʊnd/

vi./n.

To make the short, loud, and often sharp vocalization characteristic of a dog.

📁 Category：Animal Protection 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Verb: from Old English 'beorcan', likely onomatopoeic. Noun: from Old Norse 'bǫrkr'.

💡 Mnemonic

Dogs bark at the bark of a tree, but their sounds are not made of wood.

📖 Example

The little dog started to bark excitedly when it saw its owner returning home with a bag of treats. 🔊 The little dog started to bark excitedly when it saw its owner returning home with a bag of treats.

🔗 Collocations

bark at the postman – to bark aggressively towards the mail carrier

bark up the wrong tree – to make a wrong assumption or pursue a mistaken course of action

bark orders – to give commands in a sharp, loud, and often abrupt manner

🔄 Synonyms

yelp (v./n.) – a short, sharp cry, especially of pain or excitement

woof (n.) – an informal word for the sound a dog makes

growl (v./n.) – a low, guttural, aggressive sound made by a dog

🚫 Antonyms

whimper (v./n.) – to make a series of low, feeble sounds expressive of fear or pain

purr (v./n.) – to make a low, continuous, vibrating sound like that of a contented cat

🌱 Derivatives

barker (n.) – a person or animal that barks, or historically, someone who advertises a show loudly

barking (adj./n.) – making a barking sound; the act of barking

📖 Cultural Story

The word's dual meanings (dog sound and tree covering) stem from separate origins in Old English and Old Norse. This is a classic example of a homonym in English, where unrelated meanings converge on the same spelling and pronunciation, often leading to puns and wordplay.

Meaning 2：the outer layer of a tree (bark)

bark 🔊

/bɑːk/

vi./n.

the hard, outer covering of a tree trunk and branches.

Tree bark texture close-up showing rough protective layer of a tree trunk.

the outer layer of a tree 🔊

➕

/ði ˈaʊtə ˈleɪər əv ə triː/

vi./n.

The tough, protective outer layer that covers the trunks, branches, and roots of trees and woody plants.

📁 Category：Botany Research 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

During the nature walk, the guide encouraged us to touch the rough bark of the ancient oak tree to feel its texture. 🔊 During the nature walk, the guide encouraged us to touch the rough bark of the ancient oak tree to feel its texture.

🔗 Collocations

tree bark – the bark that grows on a tree

peel bark – to remove the outer layer from a tree or branch

bark beetle – a type of small insect that tunnels beneath the bark of trees

🔄 Synonyms

rind (n.) – the tough outer skin of certain fruits or cheeses; less common for trees

cortex (n.) – a technical term in botany for an outer layer of tissue

🚫 Antonyms

pith (n.) – the soft, spongy central tissue in the stems of some plants

heartwood (n.) – the dense, inner, non-living core of a tree trunk

🌱 Derivatives

barky (adj.) – covered with or resembling bark

debark (v.) – to remove the bark from a tree