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Synonyms

fruitcake

American  
[froot-keyk] / ˈfrutˌkeɪk /

noun

  1. a rich cake containing dried or candied fruit, nuts, etc.

  2. Slang. a crazy or eccentric person; nut.


fruitcake British  
/ ˈfruːtˌkeɪk /

noun

  1. a rich cake containing mixed dried fruit, lemon peel, nuts, etc

  2. slang a person considered to be eccentric or insane

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

fruitcake Idioms  

Etymology

Origin of fruitcake

First recorded in 1840–50; fruit + cake

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.

His favourite treat, however, is the Simnel cake, a traditional fruitcake typically made with a layer of either marzipan or almond paste and associated with Lent.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

The two most common styles of fruitcake in Europe are the stollen and panettone.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2024

A quip attributed to former "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson has it that "There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other."

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2024

Haters and disrespect aside, fruitcake is still a robust American tradition: The website Serious Eats reports that over 2 million fruitcakes are still sold each year.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2024

Not a Scottish shortbread or jam tart or fruitcake slice.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck

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