cucumber

American  

[kyoo-kuhm-ber] / ˈkyu kʌm bər /

noun

1. a creeping plant, Cucumis sativus, of the gourd family, occurring in many cultivated forms.

2. the edible, fleshy fruit of this plant, of a cylindrical shape with rounded ends and having a green, warty skin.

3. any of various allied or similar plants.

4. the fruit of any such plant.

---

cucumber British  

/ ˈkjuːˌkʌmbə /

noun

1. a creeping cucurbitaceous plant, Cucumis sativus, cultivated in many forms for its edible fruit Compare squirting cucumber

2. the cylindrical fruit of this plant, which has hard thin green rind and white crisp flesh

3. any of various similar or related plants or their fruits

4. very calm; self-possessed

---

cucumber Idioms  

1. see cool as a cucumber.

---

Etymology

Origin of cucumber

1350–1400; Middle English cucumbre < Anglo-French, Old French co ( u ) combre < Latin cucumer-, stem of cucumis; replacing Middle English, Old English cucumer < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

She tosses carrots, celery and other fibrous treats like cucumbers on top of the branches and leaves that are reminiscent of the apes’ West Central Africa rainforest habitat.

From Los Angeles Times

This year, somehow, I careened straight from verdant, crisp summer food — cucumber salads, crisp chicken Caesar wraps, yogurt bowls, smoothies — into the warm-orange-and-brown spectrum of winter.

From Salon

Cut the nori into quarters, season your sushi rice, and set out scallions, avocado, and cucumbers.

From Salon

A bowl with greens and grains, 12 unlimited toppings including pickled onions, cucumbers and olives, plus chicken is less than $11 in some locations.

From The Wall Street Journal

While herb-flecked tomatoes and cucumbers are a classic combination, Rafidi often swaps in roasted squash, pumpkin or whatever else beckons at the market once fall’s chill sets in.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• currency
• greenback