noun

rambutan

ram-BOO-tan

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Rambutan (noun) means a tropical tree of the species Nephelium lappaceum, native to Southeast Asia. Example: “Rambutan trees thrive in the warm, humid climate of Southeast Asia.”

noun

A tropical tree of the species Nephelium lappaceum, native to Southeast Asia.

"Rambutan trees thrive in the warm, humid climate of Southeast Asia."

"The orchard owner planted a row of rambutan trees along the riverbank."

"A mature rambutan tree can grow tall enough to shade a whole yard."

The edible fruit of the rambutan tree, covered in a spiky red skin with sweet flesh inside.

"She peeled the rambutan to reach its sweet, translucent flesh."

"Market stalls across Malaysia sell fresh rambutan by the kilogram."

"The spiky red skin makes rambutan easy to spot among other fruit at the stall."

How to use rambutan

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rambutan is a spiky, hairy-looking tropical fruit with sweet flesh, and also the name of the tree it grows on.

When to use it

Rambutan is a straightforward, everyday word used whenever the fruit or tree is mentioned, with no formal or informal shift in tone.

Memory tip

Picture the Malay root "hair" and the fruit's spiny red skin will always help you remember the name.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

fresh rambutan peel a rambutan rambutan tree a bunch of rambutan ripe rambutan

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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 “rambutan” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ trees thrive in the warm, humid climate of Southeast Asia.

Etymology

Rambutan comes from Malay, where it is built from rambut, meaning "hair", combined with a suffix that turns the word into a noun. The name refers to the fruit's hair-like spines.

Origin: Malay

Rhymes for rambutan

Bhutan orangutan

See all rhymes for rambutan →

Frequently asked questions

What is a rambutan fruit?

It is the edible fruit of a Southeast Asian tree, recognisable by its spiky red skin and sweet flesh inside.

Why is it called rambutan?

The name comes from the Malay word for "hair", referring to the soft spines covering the fruit's skin.

Where do rambutan trees grow?

They grow in the warm, humid conditions typical of Southeast Asia.

What is the meaning of rambutan?

"rambutan" (noun) means a tropical tree of the species Nephelium lappaceum, native to Southeast Asia.