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.

The company’s approach is to form cement into tiny balls, each about the size of a kernel of corn.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

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

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026

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

From Salon • Jan. 14, 2026

A central kernel of the premise of “After the Hunt” is that you never know what someone is going through.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 24, 2025

So, the kernel thing—that’s what it feels like now.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

Vocabulary lists containing kernel

Words from Shakespearean Insults

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Drama

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"When Cultures Meet"

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