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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

coconut

KOH-kuh-nuht
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Coconut (noun) means the large seed of the coconut palm, with a hard brown husk, white flesh, and clear liquid inside. Example: “We bought a fresh coconut from the market stall on the beach.”

noun
1
The large seed of the coconut palm, with a hard brown husk, white flesh, and clear liquid inside.
"We bought a fresh coconut from the market stall on the beach."
"He hacked open the coconut with a machete and drank the water inside."
"The recipe called for shredded coconut on top."

How to use coconut

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe large, hard-shelled tropical fruit with white flesh and coconut water inside.

Common mistake

Also used as an offensive slur implying someone has abandoned their own ethnic culture ("brown/black outside, white inside") — this sense is derogatory and should be avoided.

Common pairings
coconut water coconut milk a coconut palm shredded coconut
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Word forms

Plural
coconuts
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

We bought a fresh _____ from the market stall on the beach.

Etymology

From "coco" (Portuguese/Spanish for "grinning face," describing the shell's three eye-like holes) plus "nut."

Origin: Spanish

Synonyms

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coco cocoanut coco palm cocoa palm coconut meat coconut palm coconut tree

Related words

coco cocoanut Colette

Rhymes for coconut

donut
See all rhymes for 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.

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