fork

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /fɔːk/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Noun

Singular fork

Plural forks

A fork

1. An instrument for eating, with 3 or 4 sharp points called tines, all in the same direction.

   I ate with my fork.

2. A place where one thing becomes two.
   • Synonyms: split, divergence, junction, division and bifurcation
   • Antonyms: joining, convergence, junction and union

   She came to a fork in the road.

3. (chess) A situation where two or more enemy pieces are in danger from the same piece.

   He moved his queen and caught me in a fork.

Related words

• forklift
• fork in the road
• pitchfork

Verb

Plain form fork

Third-person singular forks

Past tense forked

Past participle forked

Present participle forking

1. To split, become two.
   • Synonyms: diverge, divide, branch, split and bifurcate
   • Antonyms: converge, unite and join

   The road forks there.

2. To move something with a fork.
   • Synonym: shovel

   He forked food into his mouth.

Related words

• forked
• forked tongue
• fork over