noun

plantain

PLAN-tihn

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Plantain (noun) means a starchy, banana-like fruit that is usually cooked before eating, similar to a potato in culinary use. Example: “Fried plantain is a common side dish across West Africa and the Caribbean.”

noun

A starchy, banana-like fruit that is usually cooked before eating, similar to a potato in culinary use.

"We were sitting at the tables in the port, eating an unhurried breakfast of delicious mojarra fish from the swamp and slices of fried green plantain, when my mother resumed the offensive in her personal war." — Edith Grossman, transl (2002)

"Fried plantain is a common side dish across West Africa and the Caribbean."

A common broad-leaved weed of the genus Plantago, unrelated to the banana-family plantain.

"Plantain leaves are sometimes used in folk remedies for insect bites."

How to use plantain

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a cooking banana eaten savory, or an unrelated flat-leaved roadside weed.

Common mistake

The starchy fruit and the weed are two completely different plants that just share a name in English — don't confuse them.

Common pairings

fried plantain ripe plantain plantain chips

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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”.

Word forms

Plural: plantains

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Fried _____ is a common side dish across West Africa and the Caribbean.

Etymology

From Latin plantago, related to planta, "sole of the foot," because of the plant's broad, flat leaves. The banana-like fruit is a separate, unrelated plant that happens to share the English name via Spanish.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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plantain tree

Rhymes for plantain

ain rain pain lain gain main vain fain bain Iain Jain Cain

See all rhymes for plantain →

Frequently asked questions

What does “plantain” mean?

The word “plantain” means a starchy, banana-like fruit that is usually cooked before eating, similar to a potato in culinary use. In plain terms, either a cooking banana eaten savory, or an unrelated flat-leaved roadside weed.

How do you pronounce “plantain”?

“Plantain” is pronounced PLAN-tihn (/ˈplæn.tɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “plantain” in a sentence?

Here is “plantain” used in a sentence: “Fried plantain is a common side dish across West Africa and the Caribbean.”

What part of speech is “plantain”?

“Plantain” is a noun.

Where does the word “plantain” come from?

The word “plantain” comes from Latin. From Latin plantago, related to planta, "sole of the foot," because of the plant's broad, flat leaves. The banana-like fruit is a separate, unrelated plant that happens to share the English name via Spanish.

How many meanings does “plantain” have?

“Plantain” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a starchy, banana-like fruit that is usually cooked before eating, similar to a potato in culinary use.