coconut
Coconut (noun) means the large seed of the coconut palm, with a hard brown husk, white flesh, and clear liquid inside. Example: “He hacked open the coconut with a machete and drank the water inside.”
How to use coconut
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe large, hard-shelled tropical fruit with white flesh and coconut water inside.
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.
Word forms
coconuts plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He hacked open the _____ with a machete and drank the water inside.
Etymology
From "coco" (Portuguese/Spanish for "grinning face," describing the shell's three eye-like holes) plus "nut."
Synonyms
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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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