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noun

jujube

JOO-joob

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Jujube (noun) means a small tree that bears a sweet, edible fruit, or the fruit itself. Example: “Jujube trees grow well in dry, sunny climates.”

noun

1

A small tree that bears a sweet, edible fruit, or the fruit itself.

"Jujube trees grow well in dry, sunny climates."

"She dried a bowl of jujubes to add to a herbal tea."

"The market stall sold fresh jujubes alongside other fruit."

2

A soft, chewy sweet, especially as sold in Canada and the United States.

"He bought a box of jujubes at the cinema."

"The children picked out the jujubes from the bag of sweets first."

"Jujubes come in several fruity flavours."

How to use jujube

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA jujube is a sweet fruit and its tree, and in North America also a chewy sweet.

When to use it

Jujube is an everyday word for the fruit in regions where it is grown, and for the sweet in North America.

Memory tip

Do not confuse jujube with jojoba, an unrelated plant used for its oil.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

jojoba

Common pairings

dried jujubes a jujube tree a box of jujubes

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “jujube” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ trees grow well in dry, sunny climates.

Etymology

Jujube reached Middle English by way of two related sources, a Medieval Latin term and its Old French counterpart, both believed to trace through Old Occitan to a Classical Latin name for the fruit that was itself adopted from Ancient Greek. The word has been recorded since the fourteenth century.

Origin: Old French

Synonyms

Chinese date red date

Rhymes for jujube

cube tube rube lube Danube YouTube

See all rhymes for jujube →

Frequently asked questions

What is a jujube?

A jujube is a small tree bearing a sweet fruit, also called the fruit itself, and in North America the word also names a chewy sweet.

Is a jujube the same as a date?

Jujube fruit is often called Chinese date or red date because of its appearance, but it comes from a different tree to the true date palm.

Are jujube sweets made from the fruit?

In Canada and the United States, jujube also names a type of chewy sweet, with the exact style varying by country.

What is the meaning of jujube?

"jujube" (noun) means a small tree that bears a sweet, edible fruit, or the fruit itself.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial