corner
corner — noun
1. the point or place where two lines, edges, walls, or roads come together, formin
the point or place where two lines, edges, walls, or roads come together, forming an angle.
The bakery is on the corner of Main Street and Park Avenue.
preposition pattern: on the corner of [street A] and [street B]
Arjun bumped his knee against the corner of the coffee table.
A small lamp sat in the corner of the living room.
in the corner of [room]
The bus slows down every time it approaches a sharp corner.
Fold the paper so that the two corners meet exactly.
- on the corner
- in the corner
- around the corner
- corner of the room
- corner of the street
- sharp corner
- blind corner
- street corner
Common Mistakes
2. a secluded or distant section within a bigger place, especially one that is not
a secluded or distant section within a bigger place, especially one that is not often seen or visited.
The temple sits in a quiet corner of the old city.
quiet corner of [place]
Élise found a shady corner of the park to read her book.
The war reached even the most remote corners of the country.
Chidi collects stamps from every corner of the world.
every corner of the world
We found a hidden corner of the beach that tourists never visit.
- remote corner
- quiet corner
- hidden corner
- every corner of
- corner of the world
- dark corner
- dusty corner
- nook
cozier, more sheltered, often implies a small recess or alcove
- remote area
more formal; emphasises distance rather than quietness
- faraway place
less precise; suggests emotional distance as well as physical
Usage Note
Often used in the pattern 'every corner of [place]' to mean 'every part of'.
3. in football (soccer) and hockey, a set piece delivered from one of the field's c
in football (soccer) and hockey, a set piece delivered from one of the field's corners to resume play after the defending side caused the ball to cross its own goal line.
United scored from a corner in the final minute of the match.
The referee awarded a corner after the defender touched the ball last.
passive: awarded a corner
Renata took the corner, and the striker headed the ball into the net.
Their team has a tall player who is dangerous at corners.
collocation: dangerous at corners
- take a corner
- award a corner
- score from a corner
- corner kick
- corner flag
- defend a corner
- corner kick
the full term used in football
- penalty corner
the hockey equivalent
Usage Note
Also called a 'corner kick' in football. In hockey it is called a 'corner hit' or 'penalty corner'. Not used in American football or basketball.
Common Mistakes
4. either first base or third base — the two bases that sit at the outer ends of th
either first base or third base — the two bases that sit at the outer ends of the infield in baseball.
The runner on first was picked off by the pitcher.
Good teams need strong players at both corner positions.
collocation: corner positions in baseball
Lakshmi played third base and handled every ground ball cleanly.
The coach moved the shortstop to a corner position for better reach.
- corner infielder
- corner base
- corner position
- first corner
- third corner
Usage Note
Typically used in the phrases 'corner infielder' (first or third baseman) or 'corner base.' Not used for second base.
5. one of the four posts and the area around it in a boxing ring; also used to refe
one of the four posts and the area around it in a boxing ring; also used to refer to the trainers and assistants who support a boxer between rounds.
The boxer returned to his corner after the bell rang.
Her corner threw in the towel to stop the fight in the eighth round.
possessive: [person]'s corner = their team of supporters
The trainer climbed into the ring and gave instructions from the corner.
Between rounds, the corner man wiped the boxer's face with a cold towel.
- return to the corner
- work the corner
- in the corner
- corner man
- corner team
Usage Note
When used to mean 'supporters' — 'her corner' — it extends figuratively to any situation where someone backs a person (see idiom 'in someone's corner').
6. a situation in which it is very hard to escape or find a good solution.
a situation in which it is very hard to escape or find a good solution.
After losing his job and his home, Brian felt he was in a corner.
in a corner = in a difficult position
The government is in a tight corner over rising housing costs.
tight corner = especially difficult situation
Their dishonest deals have painted them into a corner.
paint oneself into a corner = create a situation with no escape
The company found itself in a corner when the supplier suddenly quit.
- in a corner
- tight corner
- back into a corner
- paint into a corner
- cornered
- predicament
more formal; can imply a difficult choice rather than trapped
- pickle
informal; suggests a mildly embarrassing or humorous difficulty
- fix
informal; 'in a fix' is lighter than 'in a corner'
Usage Note
Frequently appears in fixed expressions: 'in a tight corner', 'paint oneself into a corner', 'back someone into a corner'. The verb 'corner' (verb sense 2) describes the action of forcing someone into this situation.
Common Mistakes
7. a situation where a person or company controls enough of a product or resource t
a situation where a person or company controls enough of a product or resource to influence its price.
The investor tried to get a corner on the wheat market.
get/have a corner on the [commodity] market
The company has a corner on the supply of rare minerals used in electronics.
The government stepped in when traders tried to establish a corner on rice.
A small group of investors nearly gained a corner on the cocoa trade that year.
- have a corner on
- get a corner on
- establish a corner on
- corner the market
- monopoly
stronger; implies exclusive control, while 'a corner' means dominant but not necessarily complete control
- stranglehold
more forceful; suggests the control is harmful or unfair
- free market
a market with no single dominant player
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the phrase 'have/get a corner on [something].' Related to verb sense 3 (corner the market).
around the corner
idiomvery near in distance or about to happen soon.
There is a great little café just around the corner from the library.
Spring is just around the corner, so the cherry blossoms will bloom soon.
cut corners
idiomto do something in the quickest or cheapest way, often by ignoring rules or sacrificing quality.
The builder cut corners by using cheap materials, and the wall cracked within a year.
If you cut corners on safety training, someone could get seriously hurt.
in someone's corner
idiomsupporting or rooting for someone, especially during a difficult time.
When Talia ran for class president, her whole family was in her corner.
It helps to have an experienced lawyer in your corner during a trial.
turn the corner
idiomto pass the most difficult point in a bad situation and begin to improve.
The patient was very ill last week, but today the doctors say she has turned the corner.
After three years of losses, the business finally turned the corner last quarter.
seeing something not by looking directly at it, but from the side of your field of vision.
Out of the corner of her eye, Dahlia saw a cat slip through the open gate.
I caught the movement out of the corner of my eye and turned around quickly.
fight your corner
idiomto defend your own position or opinion against criticism or opposition.
Owen had to fight his corner when the committee questioned his budget proposal.
She is not afraid to fight her corner in a debate.
to have a special affection or sympathy for someone or something.
My grandmother has a soft corner for stray cats and feeds them every morning.
Even though the film got bad reviews, I have a soft corner for it because I saw it as a child.
in a tight corner
idiomin a very difficult situation with few options.
With debts piling up and no income, the family was in a tight corner.
The team was in a tight corner after their star player got injured.
Something that is very close in distance or time.
The library is just around the corner from my house.
Better days are around the corner, so don't give up hope.
To support and encourage someone, or to have someone who does that for you.
My coach has always been in my corner during tough matches.
It's good to have a friend like Maya in your corner.
cut the corner
idiomTo go across a corner instead of around it, usually to save time.
He cut the corner and stepped on the wet grass.
Don't cut the corner when you're driving; it's dangerous.
To defend yourself or someone else against opposition or criticism.
Sara always fights her corner in team meetings.
My lawyer fought my corner and won the case.
To have a special liking or affection for someone or something.
I have a soft corner for old black-and-white movies.
Tom has a soft corner for stray cats and feeds them daily.
In a difficult or unpleasant situation.
The company is in a tight corner after losing its biggest client.
When you're in a tight spot, ask your friends for help.
To notice something accidentally or unclearly because you are not looking directly at it.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a cat run past.
I saw a flash of light out of the corner of my eye.
corner — verb
1. to go around a bend in a road, especially in a vehicle; also describes how a veh
to go around a bend in a road, especially in a vehicle; also describes how a vehicle handles this movement, such as smoothly or with difficulty.
This sports car corners beautifully even on wet roads.
corner + adverb of manner (beautifully, smoothly, badly)
The truck cornered slowly because it was carrying a heavy load.
Bao's bicycle cornered sharply, throwing gravel into the air.
The driver took the bend too fast and the vehicle did not corner safely.
- corner well
- corner badly
- corner smoothly
- corner sharply
- corner at speed
- turn
more general; 'corner' specifically suggests going around a bend at speed
Grammar Patterns
corner + adverb of manner
Usage Note
Almost always used with an adverb or adverbial phrase describing the quality of the turn. The subject is the vehicle, not the driver.
Common Mistakes
2. to trap someone or something by blocking their way out, leaving them with no goo
to trap someone or something by blocking their way out, leaving them with no good options for escape.
The police cornered the suspect in an alley behind the station.
cornered + in [location]
The cat was cornered by three aggressive dogs near the fence.
passive: be cornered by [someone/something]
Charlotte cornered her professor after class to ask about the assignment.
The protesters felt cornered by the new laws that limited their rights.
Kian cornered the thief in the basement and held him until help arrived.
- corner someone
- be cornered
- get cornered
- corner in
- cornered by
- feel cornered
Grammar Patterns
corner + object
be cornered + preposition (in, into, against)
Usage Note
Frequently used in the passive (be/get cornered). The figurative use ('cornered by criticism', 'cornered by questions') is common in journalism and business.
Common Mistakes
3. to gain control of the supply of a particular product or service so that you can
to gain control of the supply of a particular product or service so that you can set its price.
One tech company has cornered the market on smartphone chips.
corner the market on [product]
A group of traders tried to corner the silver market by buying up the entire supply.
The brand has almost cornered the luxury handbag market in Asia.
The entire cocoa market was cornered by a single cartel.
passive: [market] was cornered by [entity]
- corner the market
- corner the market on
- corner a commodity
- corner a sector
- monopolise
stronger; implies complete control rather than dominant control
- dominate
broader; can refer to market share without implying price control
- compete
to participate in a market without controlling it
Grammar Patterns
corner + the market + on [product]
Usage Note
Almost always used in the fixed expression 'corner the market'. When used without 'the market', it refers to noun sense 7 (have a corner on).
Common Mistakes
corner — adjective
1. located at or near the place where two lines, walls, or streets meet.
located at or near the place where two lines, walls, or streets meet.
The corner shop sells newspapers and cold drinks.
corner shop = small shop on a street corner
Eric and Brooke bought a corner apartment with windows on two sides.
The corner table by the window is the best spot in the restaurant.
We met at our usual corner cafe on Saturday morning.
The corner office on the top floor has a great view of the river.
- corner shop
- corner store
- corner office
- corner table
- corner seat
- corner room
- corner cafe
- corner house
- on the corner
a prepositional phrase used predicatively; 'corner' is only attributive
Usage Note
Used only attributively (before a noun). You cannot say 'the office is corner' — use 'on the corner' instead.
Common Mistakes
2. designed or intended to be placed in or around the angle where two surfaces meet
designed or intended to be placed in or around the angle where two surfaces meet.
We bought a corner shelf to hold small plants in the study.
The corner sofa fits perfectly into the alcove of the living room.
Reema installed corner guards on the kitchen counter to protect the edges.
corner guards = protective covers for corners
A corner cabinet uses space that would otherwise be wasted.
- corner shelf
- corner sofa
- corner cabinet
- corner unit
- corner guard
- corner piece
- corner bracket
- corner joint
- L-shaped
describes shape rather than intended placement
Usage Note
Used for objects whose shape or purpose is specifically for corners. More common in home design and construction contexts.
Word family
- corneredadjectiveB2
- cornerstonenounC1
- cornerstoneadjectiveC1
- corneryadjectiveC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Corner, angle, bend, and intersection all refer to places where things meet, but they differ in shape and use. A corner is the most everyday word for the point where two lines, walls, or streets come together — the corner of a table, the corner of a room. An angle is more geometric and technical; it describes the measurement of the turn (a 90-degree angle) or a position from which something is viewed (seen from a different angle). A bend is a gradual curve in a road, river, or pipe — it does not imply a sharp meeting point. An intersection is specifically where roads or lines cross each other at roughly right angles, and it is more formal than 'corner.' For everyday use, 'corner' covers most situations: 'There is a café on the corner' sounds natural, while 'at the intersection' sounds like a formal address or a driving instruction.
Common collocations
Nouns
- street corner
- room corner
- corner shop
- corner office
- corner store
- corner table
- corner seat
Adverbs
- just around the corner
- far corners
- every corner
Phrases
- from all corners of
- every corner of the world
- corner of the eye
- tight corner
- right-hand corner
- left-hand corner
- top corner
- bottom corner
Prepositions
- on the corner
- in the corner
- around the corner
- at the corner
- out of the corner
Etymology
The word 'corner' comes from Old French 'corniere' (angle, corner), which came from Latin 'cornu' meaning 'horn' — since a corner sticks out like an animal's horn. The meaning shifted from the projecting point (like a horn) to the meeting angle itself. By the 1300s it was used in English for the intersection of streets. The verb sense 'to force into a corner' dates from the 1500s, and the business sense 'corner the market' appeared in the 1800s during the rise of commodity trading.