any tree or shrub belonging to the genus Ficus, of the mulberry family, especially a small tree, F. carica, native to southwestern Asia, bearing a turbinate or pear-shaped fruit that is eaten fresh, preserved, or dried.
the fruit of such a tree or shrub, or of any related species.
any of various plants having a fruit somewhat resembling this.
a contemptibly trifling or worthless amount; the least bit.
His help wasn't worth a fig.
a gesture of contempt.
dress or array.
to appear at a party in full fig.
condition.
to feel in fine fig.
figurative.
figuratively.
figure; figures.
any moraceous tree or shrub of the tropical and subtropical genus Ficus , in which the flowers are borne inside a pear-shaped receptacle
the fruit of any of these trees, esp of F. carica , which develops from the receptacle and has sweet flesh containing numerous seedlike structures
any of various plants or trees having a fruit similar to this
a succulent plant, Mesembryanthemum edule , of southern Africa, having a capsular fruit containing edible pulp: family Aizoaceae
(used with a negative) something of negligible value; jot
I don't care a fig for your opinion
Also: feg. dialect a piece or segment from an orange
Also called: fico. an insulting gesture made with the thumb between the first two fingers or under the upper teeth
to dress (up) or rig (out)
to administer stimulating drugs to (a horse)
dress, appearance, or array (esp in the phrase in full fig )
physical condition or form
in bad fig
figurative(ly)
figure
1175–1225; Middle English fige < Old French < Old Provençal figa < Vulgar Latin *fīca, for Latin fīcus
1685–95; earlier feague to liven, whip up < German fegen to furbish, sweep, clean; akin to fair 1
A fig is a flowering tree that grows in warm climates. The fruit that grows on a fig is also called a fig. The fig, or fig tree, is happiest in dry, sunny climates like those in the Middle East and the Mediterranean region. The figs that grow on these trees is very sweet, with a green skin that ripens to a purple, brown, or yellowish color. An interesting quirk of the fig is that it needs a specific type of wasp for pollination in order to produce seeds. The Latin root of fig is ficus.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Add a dollop or two of fig jam.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
Heidegger’s noble guests cavorted as milkmaids, chimney sweeps, gypsies, “Indian kings” and even a “nude” Adam wearing a body stocking and fig leaves.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
They planted olive, fig and pomegranate trees in their garden and brought furniture back from the US from the Amish community in Pennsylvania: "That's something we cannot replace," he said.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026
“This is just a fig leaf to deflect from criticism,” Ocasio-Cortez posted on X External link in response to Kalshi’s new measures.
From Barron's ● Mar. 25, 2026
“We baked these for eighteen minutes, and used more fig pieces. Dig in.”
From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks
“It’s not granola. It’s fig. Do you want me to throw up?”
From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers
“I don’t have just one fig. I have a whole figment.”
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
“There! Now I have made you solemn again. I should put a curb on my tongue. Here, take the fig. That should cheer you.”
From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Trilocular, three-celled, as the pistils or pods in fig. 328-330.
From The Elements of Botany For Beginners and For Schools by Gray, Asa
Ordure, or′dūr, n. dirt: dung: excrement: also fig. anything unclean.—adj.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
