litchi

or lee·chee, li·chee, ly·chee

[ lee-chee ]

noun

, plural li·tchis.

1. the fruit of a Chinese tree, Litchi chinensis, of the soapberry family, consisting of a thin, brittle shell enclosing a sweet, jellylike pulp and a single seed.
2. the tree itself.

litchi

/ ˌlaɪˈtʃiː /

noun

1. a Chinese sapindaceous tree, Litchi chinensis, cultivated for its round edible fruits
2. the fruit of this tree, which has a whitish juicy edible aril

Word History and Origins

Origin of litchi¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from New Latin, from Chinese lìzhi ( lì “scallion” + zhī “branch”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of litchi¹

C16: from Cantonese lai chi

Example Sentences

Refill my glass, please, and I’ll try to smell the litchi.

From Washington Post

Alongside the garden’s strutting peacocks, the notebook-wielding jury members sniff and scope their way through the alleyways, the noses among them decrypting the precise litchi, citrus and clove notes of the flowers.

From Washington Post

But when done right, as here by Gundlach Bundschu, the grape yields a tightly knit wine with hints of litchi and a scent of jasmine and honeysuckle.

From Washington Post

Flavors of white flowers and tropical fruit — think star fruit, litchi and jasmine — with a soft texture that caresses the palate.

From Washington Post

It’s not just the flavors, which highlight yuzu and litchi instead of the yawn-inducing black cherry or grapefruit.

From Washington Post