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.

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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

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cucumber Idioms  

1. see cool as a cucumber.

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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

Explanation

A cucumber plant is a vine that grows the long, green gourds used to make pickles. Cucumbers are also commonly sliced and added to salads. You may think of cucumbers as vegetables, but they are actually fruits, belonging to the melon family. Raw cucumbers are slightly crunchy and make a great addition to salads and sandwiches, but their flesh is too delicate for cooking. The phrase "cool as a cucumber," or calmly unruffled, comes from the plant's tendency to remain cool in the garden even on a hot day. Before the 18th century, they were known as cowcumbers.

Example Sentences

The royals then attended a garden party at the British embassy, with cucumber sandwiches and scones on the menu.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

The first is a savory dip for vegetables — lately carrot and cucumber matchsticks or sugar snap peas.

From Salon • Mar. 9, 2026

"Just yesterday we found a kind of type of swimming sea cucumber, and we still don't know what it is," he added, calling the diversity he's seen "really, really astonishing".

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

"She's really tough to play, she has a massive serve, big groundstrokes, cool as a cucumber, you get nothing out of her," said Pegula.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

I have never once worried that a cucumber I grew from seed would kill me if I ate it.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

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