Meaning & use
cornice
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Meanings
nouncountable
A decorative horizontal molding along the top of a wall or building.
Grammar: Countable; plural cornices.
Patterns
- a cornice on something
- the cornice of a building
The building's cornice was damaged in the storm.
They restored the ornate cornice above the entrance.
nouncountabletechnical
An overhanging mass of snow along a mountain ridge or cliff edge.
Grammar: Countable; often used in mountaineering contexts.
Patterns
- a snow cornice
- a cornice collapse
The climbers avoided the cornice because it looked unstable.
A cornice broke off and slid down the slope.
Word forms
| plural | cornices |
|---|
Common combinations
- decorative cornice
- The decorative cornice added elegance to the room.
- snow cornice
- The snow cornice hung dangerously over the valley.
- cornice molding
- The cornice molding was made of plaster.
Synonyms and how they differ
Commonly confused: cornice or corniche?
cornice vs corniche
A corniche is a coastal road, especially in French-speaking countries; a cornice is architectural.
Practice
In architecture, what is a 'cornice'?
Choose one answer.
A cornice is the decorative horizontal band at the top of a wall or building. The other options are different architectural elements.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cornice”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.