core

Everyday

1. The core is the hard middle part of an apple or pear, with the seeds. tree →
2. The core of the Earth is its very hot centre. tree →
3. The core of something is its most important or central part: the core of the problem. tree →
4. To core means to take out the core: core the apples. tree →
5. Core muscles are the muscles around your tummy and back that keep you steady. tree →

In the lessons

In science, the Earth has layers: crust, mantle, outer core (liquid metal) and inner core (solid, hotter than the Sun's surface). In PE, core strength helps balance. At school, core subjects are the main ones — English, maths and science. In everyday life, apple cores go in the compost bin. Phrases: apple core, the Earth's core, core subjects, core values, to the core (completely), core strength.

Examples

• Throw your apple core in the compost bin. tree →
• The Earth's inner core is made of iron and nickel. tree →
• Maths, English and science are core subjects. tree →
• Mum cored the apples before baking them. tree →
• Planks help make your core muscles strong. tree →
• Honesty is at the core of friendship. tree →
• He was a fan of the team to the core. tree →
• “But the core I will not eat!” cried Pinocchio in an angry tone. tree →

Note

Countable: cores. Homophone: «corps» (a group of soldiers or workers, said «core»). Science: the core is the centre layer, the crust the outside — like an apple or a peach.