fruit
froot
Fruit (noun) means the seed-bearing part of a plant, often sweet and eaten as food, such as an apple or orange. Example: “She packed some fruit for a healthy snack on the train.”
noun
1
The seed-bearing part of a plant, often sweet and eaten as food, such as an apple or orange.
"She packed some fruit for a healthy snack on the train."
"The market stall sold fresh fruit and vegetables."
"Wash the fruit well before you put it in the bowl."
2
A good or bad result of effort or action.
"The award was the fruit of years of hard work."
"Her patience finally bore fruit when the whole class passed the exam."
"The peace talks produced little fruit despite many long months of effort."
verb
1
To produce fruit.
"The apple tree fruits every autumn."
"Strawberries fruit best in a sunny spot with plenty of water."
"The vine had not fruited at all because of the cold spring."
How to use fruit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe edible, seed-containing part of a plant, or more broadly, the positive result of an effort.
Common mistake
The slang use of "fruit" as a slur for a gay man is dated, offensive, and best avoided entirely.
Common pairings
fresh fruit
the fruits of labor
fruit and vegetables
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Word forms
- Plural
- fruits
- Third person singular
- fruits
- Past tense
- fruited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She packed some _____ for a healthy snack on the train.
Etymology
From Old French fruit, "produce," from Latin fructus, "enjoyment, produce, profit" — related to fruor, "to enjoy the benefit of."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for fruit
See all rhymes for fruit →Frequently asked questions
What does “fruit” mean?
The word “fruit” means the seed-bearing part of a plant, often sweet and eaten as food, such as an apple or orange. In plain terms, the edible, seed-containing part of a plant, or more broadly, the positive result of an effort.
How do you pronounce “fruit”?
“Fruit” is pronounced froot (/fɹut/ in IPA).
How do you use “fruit” in a sentence?
Here is “fruit” used in a sentence: “She packed some fruit for a healthy snack on the train.”
What part of speech is “fruit”?
Depending on how it is used, “fruit” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fruit” come from?
The word “fruit” comes from Latin. From Old French fruit, "produce," from Latin fructus, "enjoyment, produce, profit" — related to fruor, "to enjoy the benefit of.".
Is “fruit” a common word?
“Fruit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “fruit” have?
“Fruit” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the seed-bearing part of a plant, often sweet and eaten as food, such as an apple or orange.
What is the difference between a fruit and a vegetable?
Botanically, a fruit is the seed-bearing part that grows from a flower, while vegetables are other plant parts like roots, stems, and leaves. In cooking, the split is about taste: sweet items are called fruit, savoury ones vegetables. That is why tomatoes are botanically fruit but used as vegetables.
Is a tomato a fruit?
Botanically, yes — a tomato develops from a flower and carries seeds, which makes it a fruit, as are cucumbers, peppers, and pumpkins. In the kitchen, though, tomatoes are treated as vegetables because they are savoury. Both answers are correct; they just use different definitions.
What are some examples of fruit?
Familiar fruits include apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, and strawberries. Botanically the group is broader, taking in tomatoes, cucumbers, and nuts as well. All share the same defining trait: they are the seed-bearing part of a flowering plant, whether sweet or savoury.
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