kumquat

[ kuhm-kwot ]

noun

a small, round or oblong citrus fruit having a sweet rind and acid pulp, used chiefly for preserves.
any of several citrus shrubs of the genus Fortunella, native to China, that bear this fruit.

Origin of kumquat

First recorded in 1865–70; from dialectal Chinese (Guangdong) gāmgwāt “gold citrus fruit,” akin to Chinese jīnjù

Sometimes cum·quat .

Words Nearby kumquat

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use kumquat in a sentence

Think ripe apricots and kumquats, macerated in stones and invigorated with mountain spring water straight from the earth.
This $14 South African red wine will bring summertime chill to your glass | Dave McIntyre | July 9, 2021 | Washington Post
I love the sweet-tart taste of fresh cranberries, and the combination with kumquat is the perfect pitch.
Turkey Day Bacchanal | Christopher Idone | November 23, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
The kumquat comes true to seed, and may also be propagated by grafting and budding.
Fruits of the Hawaiian Islands | Gerrit Parmile Wilder

British Dictionary definitions for kumquat

kumquat

cumquat

/ (ˈkʌmkwɒt) /

noun

any of several small Chinese trees of the rutaceous genus Fortunella
the small round orange fruit of such a tree, with a sweet rind, used in preserves and confections

Origin of kumquat

C17: from Chinese (Cantonese) kam kwat, representing Mandarin Chinese chin chü golden orange

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

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