lemon
[ lem-uh n ]
/ ˈlɛm ən /
noun
the yellowish, acid fruit of a subtropical citrus tree, Citrus limon.
the tree itself.
Informal. a person or thing that proves to be defective, imperfect, or unsatisfactory; dud: His car turned out to be a lemon.
adjective
made of or with lemon.
having the color, taste, or odor of lemon.
Nearby words
lemnian, lemniscate, lemniscus, lemnitzer, lemnos, lemon, lemon balm, lemon cheese, lemon drop, lemon fish, lemon geranium
Origin of lemon
1350–1400; 1905–10 for def 4; < Medieval Latin lemōnium; replacing Middle English lymon < Medieval Latin līmō, (stem līmōn-) < Persian līmū, līmun
Related forms
lem·on·ish, adjectivelem·on·like, lem·on·y, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for lemon
British Dictionary definitions for lemon
lemon
/ (ˈlɛmən) /
noun
a small Asian evergreen tree, Citrus limon, widely cultivated in warm and tropical regions, having pale green glossy leaves and edible fruitsRelated adjectives: citric, citrine, citrous
- the yellow oval fruit of this tree, having juicy acidic flesh rich in vitamin C
- (as modifier)a lemon jelly
Also called: lemon yellow
- a greenish-yellow or strong yellow colour
- (as adjective)lemon wallpaper
a distinctive tart flavour made from or in imitation of the lemon
slang a person or thing considered to be useless or defective
Derived Forms
lemonish, adjectivelemon-like, adjectiveWord Origin for lemon
C14: from Medieval Latin lemōn-, from Arabic laymūn
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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