kernel

[kur-nl] / ˈkɜr nl /

NOUN

seed, essence

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fruit grain meat morsel nut

STRONG

atom bit center core crux germ gist heart hub keynote marrow matter nub nubbin part piece pith root substance upshot

Antonyms

STRONG

exterior exteriority outside periphery surface whole

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Is there any kernel of truth to anything she’s saying?

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026

Implicit in the articles is the sense that there may be a kernel of something good in a society that enables individuals to rise above oppression.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

There’s a kernel of truth to Wyle’s fake PSA.

From Salon • Jan. 14, 2026

One key outcome of this approach is the ability to derive exact formulas for kernel functions.

From Science Daily • Jan. 7, 2026

A few moments later an unlikely kernel of warmth ignited in her stomach, as if the icy water had activated some secret reserve of energy within her body.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

Vocabulary lists containing kernel

Words from Shakespearean Insults

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Drama

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

"When Cultures Meet"

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!