noun
fruit
froot
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."
2
A good or bad result of effort or action.
"The award was the fruit of years of hard work."
verb
1
To produce fruit.
"The apple tree fruits every autumn."
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
Word Forms
fruited past tense, fruits plural, Fruits plural, fruits singular
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Etymology
From Old French fruit, "produce," from Latin fructus, "enjoyment, produce, profit" — related to fruor, "to enjoy the benefit of."