noun
samara
SA-muh-ruh
Samara (noun) means a dry, winged fruit that does not split open, found on trees such as the ash, elm, and maple. Example: “Kids love catching maple samaras as they spin down like tiny helicopters.”
noun
1
A dry, winged fruit that does not split open, found on trees such as the ash, elm, and maple.
"Kids love catching maple samaras as they spin down like tiny helicopters."
"The elm's samaras littered the pavement in a thin papery drift."
How to use samara
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe papery, winged seed pod that spins and helicopters down from certain trees.
Memory tip
Think of the "helicopter seeds" that fall from maple trees — that spinning wing is a samara.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
maple samara
winged samara
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Word forms
- Plural
- samaras, samarae
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Kids love catching maple _____ as they spin down like tiny helicopters.
Etymology
From Latin samara ("elm seed"), traced back to a Gaulish word related to a Celtic root for "summer."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for samara
See all rhymes for samara →Frequently asked questions
What does “samara” mean?
The word “samara” means a dry, winged fruit that does not split open, found on trees such as the ash, elm, and maple. In plain terms, the papery, winged seed pod that spins and helicopters down from certain trees.
How do you pronounce “samara”?
“Samara” is pronounced SA-muh-ruh (/ˈsæmərə/ in IPA).
How do you use “samara” in a sentence?
Here is “samara” used in a sentence: “Kids love catching maple samaras as they spin down like tiny helicopters.”
What part of speech is “samara”?
“Samara” is a noun.
Where does the word “samara” come from?
The word “samara” comes from Latin. From Latin samara ("elm seed"), traced back to a Gaulish word related to a Celtic root for "summer.".
