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noun

kumquat

KUM-kwot
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Kumquat (noun) means a small, orange, citrus-like fruit that comes from Asia. Example: “She sliced a few kumquats into the salad for a sharp, sweet flavour.”

noun
1
A small, orange, citrus-like fruit that comes from Asia.
"She sliced a few kumquats into the salad for a sharp, sweet flavour."
"Kumquats are small enough to pop into your mouth whole."
"The market stall sold kumquats in little paper bags."

How to use kumquat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA tiny orange citrus fruit from Asia.

When to use it

It is a neutral, everyday word for a fruit.

Memory tip

The plural is regular, so say one kumquat and two kumquats.

Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fresh kumquats kumquat marmalade sliced kumquats candied kumquats
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She sliced a few _____ into the salad for a sharp, sweet flavour.

Etymology

The word comes from Cantonese, from a term written 金橘 or 金桔 that literally means golden tangerine. It shares its second character with the word loquat.

Origin: Cantonese

cumquat

Rhymes for kumquat

See all rhymes for kumquat →

Frequently asked questions

What is a kumquat?
A kumquat is a small, orange, citrus-like fruit native to Asia.
Where does the word kumquat come from?
It comes from Cantonese, where the name means golden tangerine.
How do you spell kumquat?
The usual spelling is kumquat, though cumquat is an alternative form.
What is the meaning of kumquat?
"kumquat" (noun) means a small, orange, citrus-like fruit that comes from Asia.