fig

¹ American  

[fig] / fɪg /

noun

1. any tree or shrub belonging to the genus Ficus, of the mulberry family, especially a small tree, F. carica, native to southwestern Asia, bearing a turbinate or pear-shaped fruit that is eaten fresh, preserved, or dried.

2. the fruit of such a tree or shrub, or of any related species.

3. any of various plants having a fruit somewhat resembling this.

4. a contemptibly trifling or worthless amount; the least bit.

   His help wasn't worth a fig.

5. a gesture of contempt.

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fig ² American  

[fig] / fɪg /

noun

1. dress or array.

   to appear at a party in full fig.

2. condition.

   to feel in fine fig.

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fig. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. figurative.

2. figuratively.

3. figure; figures.

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fig ¹ British  

/ fɪɡ /

noun

1. any moraceous tree or shrub of the tropical and subtropical genus Ficus , in which the flowers are borne inside a pear-shaped receptacle

2. the fruit of any of these trees, esp of F. carica , which develops from the receptacle and has sweet flesh containing numerous seedlike structures

3. any of various plants or trees having a fruit similar to this

4. a succulent plant, Mesembryanthemum edule , of southern Africa, having a capsular fruit containing edible pulp: family Aizoaceae

5. (used with a negative) something of negligible value; jot

   I don't care a fig for your opinion

6. Also: feg.  dialect a piece or segment from an orange

7. Also called: fico.  an insulting gesture made with the thumb between the first two fingers or under the upper teeth

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fig ² British  

/ fɪɡ /

verb

1. to dress (up) or rig (out)

2. to administer stimulating drugs to (a horse)

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noun

1. dress, appearance, or array (esp in the phrase in full fig )

2. physical condition or form

   in bad fig

fig. ³ British  

abbreviation

1. figurative(ly)

2. figure

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fig Idioms  

1. see under not give a damn.

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Etymology

Origin of fig¹

1175–1225; Middle English fige < Old French < Old Provençal figa < Vulgar Latin *fīca, for Latin fīcus

Origin of fig²

1685–95; earlier feague to liven, whip up < German fegen to furbish, sweep, clean; akin to fair ¹

Explanation

A fig is a flowering tree that grows in warm climates. The fruit that grows on a fig is also called a fig. The fig, or fig tree, is happiest in dry, sunny climates like those in the Middle East and the Mediterranean region. The figs that grow on these trees is very sweet, with a green skin that ripens to a purple, brown, or yellowish color. An interesting quirk of the fig is that it needs a specific type of wasp for pollination in order to produce seeds. The Latin root of fig is ficus.

Example Sentences

“This is just a fig leaf to deflect from criticism,” Ocasio-Cortez posted on X External link in response to Kalshi’s new measures.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Chips, cookies, gluten-free fig bars and other snacks are available for the taking on other counters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Outside, she grew bell peppers and squash and tended to the avocado and fig trees.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025

The fruits that chimps consume most frequently at each site, a fig called Ficus musuco at Ngogo and the plum like fruit of the evergreen Parinari excelsa at Taï, were also the most alcohol rich.

From Science Daily • Dec. 1, 2025

Egyptians then domesticated the sycamore fig and a local vegetable called chufa.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond