WordGarden.iofruit
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /frˈuːt/
US
- /ˈfrut/
Meanings
Noun
an edible plant product such as an apple or berry
the seed-bearing part of a flowering plant
a result, reward, or product of an action
More meaningsFewer meanings
an offensive slang term for a gay man
Verb
to produce fruit
Beyond the definition
We all know fruit! It is the part of a plant that develops from a flower and usually contains seeds, often sweet, juicy, or colorful. Think of apples, bananas, and oranges, the classic examples that come to mind. However, "fruit" is not just about what you eat for dessert. Botanically speaking, even items like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are fruits because they develop from the flower and contain seeds.
In a figurative sense, you might say a hard day's work finally "bore fruit," meaning it led to good results. The word also appears in phrases like "the fruit of one's labor," meaning the reward for effort, or "forbidden fruit," referring to something tempting but off-limits.
The word "fruit" most commonly refers to the seed-bearing part of a plant, especially one that people eat. Many are sweet and juicy, though not all of them are. They come in a wide range of flavors, colors, and textures, from juicy watermelons to tart cranberries. You might grab a piece of fruit for a quick snack, bake it into a pie, or blend it into a refreshing drink. "She packed apples and oranges in her lunchbox."
However, the botanical definition of "fruit" is much broader than our everyday culinary understanding. In botany, a fruit is the mature ovary of a flowering plant, which acts as a vessel for seeds. This means that many "vegetables," such as pumpkins, avocados, olives, and even green beans, are technically fruits. While this can be confusing at the grocery store, it all comes down to the plant's biological development.
Beyond its literal meaning, "fruit" is a common part of figurative language. "The fruit of one's labor" refers to the results or rewards of hard work and persistence. "Forbidden fruit" represents something alluring but dangerous or restricted, a concept rooted in ancient storytelling. Whether you are enjoying a healthy snack, discussing plant biology, or using a familiar idiom, "fruit" is a versatile word with deep roots in nature, nourishment, and human expression.
Examples
- 1
Eating habits
I try to eat more fruit and vegetables.
- 2
Fresh food
There's fresh fruit on the table if you're hungry.
- 3
School lunch
One piece of fruit comes with every school lunch.
- 4
Kinds of fruit
The shop sells tropical fruits such as mangoes and papayas.
- Grammarfruits
different kinds of fruit
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Fruit trees
The apple trees are heavy with fruit this year.
- 6
Baking
She added dried fruit to the cake mixture.
- 7
Results idiom
After months of practice, his efforts finally bore fruit.
- Phrasebear fruit
produce good results
- 8
Hard work
The team is now enjoying the fruits of its hard work.
- Patternthe fruits of + something
the good results it brings
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- fruitnounverb
Forms
- fruitspluralnounverb
- fruiting-ing formverbnoun
- fruitedpast tenseverbnoun