kumquat

American  

[kuhm-kwot] / ˈkʌm kwɒt /

Sometimes cumquat

noun

1. a small, round or oblong citrus fruit having a sweet rind and acid pulp, used chiefly for preserves.

2. any of several citrus shrubs of the genus Fortunella, native to China, that bear this fruit.

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kumquat British  

/ ˈkʌmkwɒt /

noun

1. any of several small Chinese trees of the rutaceous genus Fortunella

2. the small round orange fruit of such a tree, with a sweet rind, used in preserves and confections

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Etymology

Origin of kumquat

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

Explanation

A kumquat is a very small, sour citrus fruit. Kumquats look like tiny oranges — and you eat them whole, skin and all. Kumquats are often used to make jam or cooked with sugar to counter their acidic flavor. If you're a fan of sour candy, you might love the taste of a fresh kumquat, and the sensation of biting through its sweet rind to a sour burst of juice at the center. Kumquats originated in China, and their name comes from the Cantonese kamkwat, from kam, "golden," and kwat, "orange."

Example Sentences

The twins were born last spring at the zoo and join their older brother Kumquat - with each sibling named after orange citrus because of their striking orange fur.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2025

After our long, linger-y Bub moment, we would drive over to Kumquat, which is my favorite coffee shop and it’s near Bub.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2024

Leo Robitschek created the Kumquat Painkiller which was absolutely delicious and fresh.

From Salon • Aug. 16, 2023

Kumquat Compote with Cognac, $12 for seven ounces, laboiteny.com.

From New York Times • Apr. 25, 2022

The Kumquat Saison, a collaboration with L.A. nonprofit Food Forward, is made with foraged kumquats, and it earned a silver medal in the Belgian-style fruit beer category.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2015