coconut
7 synonyms for coconut, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The large seed of the coconut palm, with a hard brown husk, white flesh, and clear liquid inside.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use coconut
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
coconut water
coconut milk
a coconut palm
shredded coconut
Etymology
From "coco" (Portuguese/Spanish for "grinning face," describing the shell's three eye-like holes) plus "nut."
Full origin of coconut →Frequently asked questions
What does “coconut” mean?
The word “coconut” means the large seed of the coconut palm, with a hard brown husk, white flesh, and clear liquid inside. In plain terms, the large, hard-shelled tropical fruit with white flesh and coconut water inside.
How do you pronounce “coconut”?
“Coconut” is pronounced KOH-kuh-nuht (/ˈkoʊ.kəˌnʌt/ in IPA).
How do you use “coconut” in a sentence?
Here is “coconut” used in a sentence: “He hacked open the coconut with a machete and drank the water inside.”
What part of speech is “coconut”?
“Coconut” is a noun.
Where does the word “coconut” come from?
The word “coconut” comes from Spanish. From "coco" (Portuguese/Spanish for "grinning face," describing the shell's three eye-like holes) plus "nut.".
Is “coconut” a common word?
“Coconut” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
Is a coconut a fruit, a nut, or a seed?
Botanically, the coconut is the large seed of the coconut palm, even though it is loosely called a nut or a fruit in everyday speech. It has a hard brown husk, white flesh, and clear liquid inside.
What is the difference between coconut water and coconut milk?
Coconut water is the clear liquid found naturally inside a coconut. Coconut milk is made by blending and straining the white flesh with water, producing a thicker, creamier liquid used in cooking.
What is the difference between coconut flesh and copra?
Coconut flesh is the firm white layer lining the inside of the shell. Copra is that same flesh once it has been dried, and it is pressed to extract coconut oil.
What are the main parts of a coconut?
A coconut has a hard brown husk on the outside, firm white flesh lining the inside, and clear liquid, known as coconut water, in the centre. Each part is used differently in food and other products.
