baobab
3 synonyms for baobab, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A tree native to tropical Africa with a thick, swollen trunk and large hanging fruit.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
African baobab
monkey bread
upside-down tree
How to use baobab
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ancient baobab
baobab tree
baobab fruit
It is a neutral, descriptive name with no informal equivalent.
Etymology
The word was borrowed into English by way of Medieval Latin from Arabic, where the term literally meant father of many seeds, referring to the tree's abundant seed pods.
Full origin of baobab →Frequently asked questions
What is a baobab tree?
It is a tree with a distinctive thick trunk and edible, gourd-like fruit, native to tropical Africa.
Why is the baobab called the upside-down tree?
Its bare branches can look like roots sticking up into the air, giving it that nickname.
Where does the word baobab come from?
It comes from Arabic, meaning father of many seeds, and reached English through Medieval Latin.
