lemon

[ lem-uhn ]

noun

1. the yellowish, acid fruit of a subtropical citrus tree, Citrus limon.
2. the tree itself.
3. lemon yellow.
4. Informal. a person or thing that proves to be defective, imperfect, or unsatisfactory; dud:

   His car turned out to be a lemon.

adjective

1. made of or with lemon.
2. having the color, taste, or odor of lemon.

lemon

/ ˈlɛmən /

noun

1. a small Asian evergreen tree, Citrus limon, widely cultivated in warm and tropical regions, having pale green glossy leaves and edible fruits citriccitrinecitrous
2. 1. the yellow oval fruit of this tree, having juicy acidic flesh rich in vitamin C
   2. ( as modifier )

      a lemon jelly

3. Also calledlemon yellow
   1. a greenish-yellow or strong yellow colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      lemon wallpaper

4. a distinctive tart flavour made from or in imitation of the lemon
5. slang.
   a person or thing considered to be useless or defective

Derived Forms

• ˈlemon-ˌlike, adjective
• ˈlemonish, adjective

Other Words From

• lemon·ish adjective
• lemon·like lemon·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lemon¹

1350–1400; 1905–10 lemon fordef 4; < Medieval Latin lemōnium; replacing Middle English lymon < Medieval Latin līmō, (stem līmōn- ) < Persian līmū, līmun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lemon¹

C14: from Medieval Latin lemōn-, from Arabic laymūn

Example Sentences

One of the easiest and most delicious ways to cook your trout is by seasoning it inside and out with olive oil, salt, and lemon pepper.

From Outside Online

Some produce requires added acid in the form of lemon juice or vinegar to make this process safe.

From Popular-Science

This bundle comes with 2 cylinders that each make approximately 60 liters or 250 8oz glasses of seltzer, plus two BPA-free 1-liter bottles, and lemon and orange calorie-free drops to add flavor.

From Popular-Science

The citric acid naturally present in lemon juice, another classic fondue ingredient, accomplishes a similar feat.

From Popular-Science

Rogers describes Apeel’s approach as essentially learning from lemons and oranges and their robust peels, and teaching those lessons to the likes of cucumbers.

From Fortune

We brought in Don Lemon, the year that he wrote his book, and I told that story to the audience that was there.

From The Daily Beast

Twist a large piece of orange zest and a large piece of lemon zest over the drink and drop into the glass.

From The Daily Beast

We were at the Bitter Lemon now, Furry, Versie, Charley and I, waiting for the crowd to arrive.

From The Daily Beast

“They all throwed me down,” Furry said, then laughed and told Versie he was going out to play at the Bitter Lemon.

From The Daily Beast

Think all-tequila margaritas, carne asada tacos spritzed with lemon, key lime pies that are mounds of crust and nothing more.

From The Daily Beast

Some one had gathered orange and lemon branches, and with these fashioned graceful festoons between.

From Project Gutenberg

The acid is extracted from the juice of the citron, the lime, and the lemon, fruits grown in Sicily and the West Indies.

From Project Gutenberg

Never afterward would she write a word upon lemon-colored paper.

From Project Gutenberg

She selected a sheet of lemon-colored note paper, and wrote a message, hurriedly, in pencil.

From Project Gutenberg

When he turns the brush in the cup it makes something like whipped cream, or the top of mother's lemon pies.

From Project Gutenberg