peanut
PEE-nuht
Peanut (noun) means the edible seed of Arachis hypogaea, a legume that grows its pods underground, despite being called a nut. Example: “Be careful, because a single peanut can cause a serious reaction in some people.”
noun
1
The edible seed of Arachis hypogaea, a legume that grows its pods underground, despite being called a nut.
"Be careful, because a single peanut can cause a serious reaction in some people."
"He spread peanut butter thickly on the toast."
"Roasted peanuts are a popular bar snack."
How to use peanut
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small legume seed eaten as a snack or ground into peanut butter — botanically a legume, not a true nut.
Memory tip
Peanuts grow underground in pods, unlike tree nuts like almonds or walnuts.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
peanut butter
roasted peanuts
peanut allergy
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Word forms
- Plural
- peanuts
- Third person singular
- peanuts
- Past tense
- peanutted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Be careful, because a single _____ can cause a serious reaction in some people.
Etymology
A compound of pea + nut, likely reshaping an earlier word (pinda) borrowed via West African languages.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “peanut” mean?
The word “peanut” means the edible seed of Arachis hypogaea, a legume that grows its pods underground, despite being called a nut. In plain terms, a small legume seed eaten as a snack or ground into peanut butter — botanically a legume, not a true nut.
How do you pronounce “peanut”?
“Peanut” is pronounced PEE-nuht (/ˈpiˌnʌt/ in IPA).
How do you use “peanut” in a sentence?
Here is “peanut” used in a sentence: “He spread peanut butter thickly on the toast.”
What part of speech is “peanut”?
“Peanut” is a noun.
Is “peanut” a common word?
“Peanut” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
Is a peanut a nut or a legume?
Botanically a peanut is a legume, not a true nut, because it grows in pods underground and belongs to the same family as beans and peas. It is called a 'nut' mainly because of its hard shell and its nut-like taste and use.
Why is a peanut also called a groundnut?
The name 'groundnut' comes from the way the plant ripens its pods below the soil, since Arachis hypogaea buries its seeds as they grow. 'Groundnut' is common in British and African English, while 'peanut' is more usual in American English.
What is the difference between a peanut and a tree nut?
A peanut grows underground and is a legume, whereas tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews grow on trees. This distinction matters for allergies, because a peanut allergy and a tree-nut allergy are treated as separate conditions.
