walnut
WAWL-nuht
Walnut (noun) means a tree of the genus Juglans, grown for its wood and edible nuts. Example: “A huge walnut tree shaded the entire back garden.”
noun
1
A tree of the genus Juglans, grown for its wood and edible nuts.
"A huge walnut tree shaded the entire back garden."
2
The wrinkled, edible nut produced by this tree.
"She added chopped walnuts to the banana bread."
3
The wood of the walnut tree, prized for furniture making.
"The table was crafted from solid walnut."
adj
1
Having the dark brown colour of walnut wood.
"The car had a walnut dashboard trim."
How to use walnut
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe nut, tree, or reddish-brown wood known as walnut.
Common pairings
walnut tree
chopped walnuts
walnut finish
walnut cake
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Word forms
- Plural
- walnuts
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A huge _____ tree shaded the entire back garden.
Etymology
From Old English wealhhnutu, literally "foreign nut" — the wealh part meant "foreign" or "Welsh," since the nut reached England from continental Europe rather than growing natively there.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “walnut” mean?
The word “walnut” means a tree of the genus Juglans, grown for its wood and edible nuts. In plain terms, the nut, tree, or reddish-brown wood known as walnut.
How do you pronounce “walnut”?
“Walnut” is pronounced WAWL-nuht (/ˈwɔlnət/ in IPA).
How do you use “walnut” in a sentence?
Here is “walnut” used in a sentence: “A huge walnut tree shaded the entire back garden.”
What part of speech is “walnut”?
Depending on how it is used, “walnut” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “walnut” come from?
The word “walnut” comes from Old English. From Old English wealhhnutu, literally "foreign nut" — the wealh part meant "foreign" or "Welsh," since the nut reached England from continental Europe rather than growing natively there.
Is “walnut” a common word?
“Walnut” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “walnut” have?
“Walnut” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tree of the genus Juglans, grown for its wood and edible nuts.
What is the difference between a walnut and other tree nuts?
A walnut is the wrinkled, edible nut produced specifically by trees of the genus Juglans, distinguishing it from other tree nuts like almonds or hazelnuts, which come from different tree genera. Walnuts are also notable for their tree's wood, prized for furniture making, a use less common with many other nut trees.
Why is walnut wood valued for furniture?
Walnut wood is prized for furniture making because of its rich, dark brown color and attractive grain, making it a popular choice for high-quality cabinetry and furnishings. This valued wood comes from the same walnut tree that produces the edible nut.
Can walnut describe a color?
Yes, walnut can be used as an adjective to describe something having the dark brown color of walnut wood, as in "walnut-colored furniture" or "walnut stain." This adjective use draws directly on the appearance of the tree's prized timber.
