nutmeg
Americannoun
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the hard, aromatic seed of the fruit of an East Indian tree, Myristica fragrans, used in grated form as a spice.
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the similar product of certain other trees of the same genus or other genera.
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a tree bearing such seeds.
noun
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an East Indian evergreen tree, Myristica fragrans, cultivated in the tropics for its hard aromatic seed: family Myristicaceae See also mace 2
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the seed of this tree, used as a spice
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any of several similar trees or their fruit
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a greyish-brown colour
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of nutmeg
1300–50; Middle English notemug ( g ) e, perhaps back formation from *notemugede ( -ede being taken as -ed 3 ), equivalent to note nut + mugede < Old French < Late Latin muscāta musky; see musk, -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jamaican jerk seasoning, made with allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, is a reminder that the spice route reached all the way to the Western Hemisphere.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
The waffles’ autumnal rendition incorporates pumpkin purée and seasonal spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg to create a warming sweet treat that embodies fall joy.
From Salon • Sep. 29, 2025
The cafe now offers six varieties and Ms Geraedts said customers loved the dish's rich, comforting flavour, seasoned with cayenne pepper, nutmeg, paprika and Worcestershire sauce.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2025
But you can also branch out with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom to give your glaze a slightly more modern edge.
From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025
“She cooked up sweet milk for you, too, with nutmeg, cinnamon, and sugar. Said you was to have some with your gingerbread.”
From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson
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.
