fig
2 synonyms for fig, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A soft, sweet fruit full of tiny seeds, grown on trees or shrubs of the genus Ficus.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use fig
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
dried figs
fig tree
fig leaf
Etymology
From Old French figue, ultimately from Latin ficus, "fig tree" — a doublet of the word "fico."
Full origin of fig →Frequently asked questions
What does “fig” mean?
The word “fig” means a soft, sweet fruit full of tiny seeds, grown on trees or shrubs of the genus Ficus. In plain terms, the sweet, seedy fruit of the fig tree, eaten fresh or dried.
How do you pronounce “fig”?
“Fig” is pronounced fihg (/fɪɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fig” in a sentence?
Here is “fig” used in a sentence: “She added dried figs to the salad for a touch of sweetness.”
What part of speech is “fig”?
“Fig” is a noun.
Where does the word “fig” come from?
The word “fig” comes from Latin. From Old French figue, ultimately from Latin ficus, "fig tree" — a doublet of the word "fico.".
Is “fig” a common word?
“Fig” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fig” have?
“Fig” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, sweet fruit full of tiny seeds, grown on trees or shrubs of the genus Ficus.
Is a fig a fruit or a flower?
A fig is described as a soft, sweet fruit full of tiny seeds, grown on trees or shrubs of the genus Ficus, so in everyday language it is a fruit. Botanically it has an unusual structure, but for culinary and general purposes it is treated as a fruit.
What is the difference between a fig and a date?
A fig is a soft, sweet fruit full of tiny seeds that grows on trees or shrubs of the genus Ficus. A date is the fruit of the date palm and has a single large stone rather than many tiny seeds, so the two are different fruits despite both being sweet and often dried.
Does 'fig' refer to the fruit or the tree?
It can refer to both. Fig names the soft, sweet fruit full of tiny seeds, and it also names the tree or shrub of the genus Ficus that produces it, so context tells you which is meant.
