cucumber

[ kyoo-kuhm-ber ]

noun

1. a creeping plant, Cucumis sativus, of the gourd family, occurring in many cultivated forms.
2. the edible, fleshy fruit of this plant, of a cylindrical shape with rounded ends and having a green, warty skin.
3. any of various allied or similar plants.
4. the fruit of any such plant.

cucumber

/ ˈkjuːˌkʌmbə /

noun

1. a creeping cucurbitaceous plant, Cucumis sativus, cultivated in many forms for its edible fruit Compare squirting cucumber
2. the cylindrical fruit of this plant, which has hard thin green rind and white crisp flesh
3. any of various similar or related plants or their fruits
4. cool as a cucumber
   very calm; self-possessed

Word History and Origins

Origin of cucumber¹

1350–1400; Middle English cucumbre < Anglo-French, Old French co ( u ) combre < Latin cucumer-, stem of cucumis; replacing Middle English, Old English cucumer < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of cucumber¹

C14: from Latin cucumis, of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

see cool as a cucumber .

Example Sentences

We might order something light since it’s getting late like some avocado cucumber sushi.

From Los Angeles Times

In between bites of ginger scallion noodles and cucumber peanut salad, served family style, comedian Kate Berlant took to a microphone and revealed that the models would be none other than us — well, not all of us, but enough names that could be called in 10ish minutes.

From Los Angeles Times

Put aside for a moment Luntz’s implication that female political faces need to be trained, like small dogs or cucumber plants.

From Slate

I don’t mind because the eel is delicious and the cucumber salad is on point.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s this running misconception that the cucumber is the antithesis of glamorous within the world of vegetables.

From Salon

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