bark

When a dog or similar animal does this, it makes short, loud sounds.

• The dog is barking.
• Our puppy barked at its reflection.
• Does your dog bark when visitors arrive?

How to use it: bark at someone/something (The dog barked at the delivery driver.)

Similar words: woof

Common phrases: bark at someone, bark loudly, bark all night

To say something loudly and sharply, often because you are angry or giving orders.

• He barked an order.
• The manager barked at us to hurry.
• She barked out a warning as the truck approached.

How to use it: bark something at someone (The guard barked an order at us.); bark out something (She barked out instructions to the crew.)

Similar words: snap, shout

Common phrases: bark orders, bark at someone, bark out something

To make repeated loud complaints or demands.

• The crowd barked for an answer.
• His critics barked loudly against the proposed changes.
• They kept barking for attention until the council responded.

How to use it: bark for something (The crowd barked for justice outside the gates.)

Similar words: clamour, clamor

Common phrases: bark for something, bark in protest

To scrape skin or another outer layer off something by rubbing it against a rough surface.

• I barked my knee on a rock.
• She barked both shins while climbing the fence.
• He fell and barked his elbow against the wall.

How to use it: bark something on something (I barked my shin on the stone step.)

Similar words: scrape, graze

Common phrases: bark your shins, bark a knee

The hard outer layer covering the trunk and branches of a tree.

• This tree has rough bark.
• The children found insects under the bark.
• Some trees shed their bark in thin strips.

Common phrases: tree bark, rough bark, strip of bark, thick bark

A short, loud sound made by a dog or some other animals.

• We heard a loud bark.
• The puppy gave two short barks.
• The bark of a seal echoed across the rocks.

Similar words: woof

Common phrases: loud bark, sharp bark, bark of something

A sudden, sharp, loud sound or word spoken by a person.

• His reply was an angry bark.
• She gave a short bark of laughter.
• The bark of the officer made everyone stand still.

Similar words: shout, yell

Common phrases: bark of laughter, angry bark, sharp bark