squash
skwosh
Squash (noun) means a racquet sport played in a walled court with a small rubber ball. Example: “They play squash together at the gym twice a week.”
noun
1
A racquet sport played in a walled court with a small rubber ball.
"They play squash together at the gym twice a week."
2
A vegetable of the gourd family, such as butternut or acorn squash.
"Roasted squash makes a great autumn side dish."
"She stuffed the acorn squash with rice and herbs."
3
British: a concentrated fruit drink diluted with water.
"The kids had orange squash with their lunch."
verb
1
To crush something into a flat or pulpy mass.
"He squashed the empty can before recycling it."
"Don't sit on the bag, you'll squash the sandwiches."
2
To suppress or put an end to something, such as a rumor or plan.
"The manager quickly squashed any talk of layoffs."
How to use squash
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo crush flat, the racquet sport, the vegetable, or (in British English) a diluted fruit drink.
UK vs US
The diluted fruit-drink sense of "squash" is mainly British; Americans would just call it a fruit drink or juice concentrate.
Common pairings
squash a rumor
butternut squash
play squash
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Word forms
- Plural
- squashes
- Third person singular
- squashes
- Past tense
- squashed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They play _____ together at the gym twice a week.
Etymology
From Old French esquacher, meaning "to crush," influenced by another Old French word meaning "to shatter."
Related words
Rhymes for squash
See all rhymes for squash →Frequently asked questions
What does “squash” mean?
The word “squash” means a racquet sport played in a walled court with a small rubber ball. In plain terms, to crush flat, the racquet sport, the vegetable, or (in British English) a diluted fruit drink.
How do you pronounce “squash”?
“Squash” is pronounced skwosh (/skwɔʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “squash” in a sentence?
Here is “squash” used in a sentence: “They play squash together at the gym twice a week.”
What is another word for “squash”?
Words with a similar meaning to “squash” include press.
What part of speech is “squash”?
Depending on how it is used, “squash” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “squash” come from?
The word “squash” comes from Old French. From Old French esquacher, meaning "to crush," influenced by another Old French word meaning "to shatter.".
Is “squash” a common word?
“Squash” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “squash” have?
“Squash” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a racquet sport played in a walled court with a small rubber ball.
What is the difference between squash the sport and squash the vegetable?
These are entirely unrelated meanings of the same word: squash the sport is a racquet game played in a walled court with a small rubber ball, while squash the vegetable is a member of the gourd family, such as butternut or acorn squash. Context makes clear which sense is intended.
What does squash mean in British English specifically?
In British English, squash refers to a concentrated fruit drink that is diluted with water before serving, a usage less common in American English, which typically uses terms like fruit punch or juice concentrate. This sense is distinct from the sport, vegetable, or verb meanings.
What is the difference between squash and press as verbs?
Both can mean to crush something into a flatter or pulpy form, but squash more strongly suggests complete crushing into a mass, while press can describe a lighter or more controlled application of force. Squash also has a figurative verb sense meaning to suppress or put an end to something, such as squashing a rumor, which press does not typically carry.
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