cucumber

[kyoo-kuhm-ber]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cucumber¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cucumber¹

C14: from Latin cucumis, of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

see cool as a cucumber.

Example Sentences

We started with a refreshing cucumber salad dressed in chili and sesame oil, then moved on to Kurobuta pork soup dumplings, shrimp and Kurobuta pork spicy wontons and more — each bite expertly balanced and juicy.

Read more on Salon

Plants in the gourd family, including pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, and zucchini, are known for accumulating high levels of pollutants in their fruit.

Read more on Science Daily

At Wing, he serves sea cucumber inside a crispy spring roll, dramatically sliced tableside with a Chinese cleaver.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Tennis star Taylor Townsend is sorry for criticizing unfamiliar foods on offer while in China for a tournament — dishes including frog, turtle and sea cucumber.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Anderson has just about cleaned his plate of cucumber salad, pita and hummus, and I’m fixing to leave him to the joys of having his portrait taken.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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