Cucumber Meaning
/ˈkjuːˌkʌmbə/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA vine in the gourd family, Cucumis sativus.
nounThe edible fruit of this plant, having a green rind and crisp white flesh.
Sentence Examples
A cucumber is related to a watermelon.
I was cool as a cucumber.
The cucumber is bitter? Then throw it away!
CEFR Practice Quiz
The crunch of the fresh ____ added texture to the sandwich.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A ____ is related to a watermelon.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English cucumer, cucumber, from Old French cocombre, ultimately from Latin cucumis, cucumerem (possibly through an Old Occitan intermediate). Probably of Pre-Italic substrate origin. First attested in the late 14c. Displaced native English earthapple (see which for more), which has since acquired other senses.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"ASPARAGUS, cauliflowers, imperial Sileſia, royal and cabbage lettuces, burnet, purſlain, cucumbers, naſturtian flowers, peaſe and beans ſown in October, artichokes, ſcarlet ſtrawberries, and kidney beans."
— 1767, A Lady [Hannah Glasse], The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Eaſy […] , page 326:
"[…]for it has been a common ſaying of phyſicians in England, that a cucumber ſhould be well ſliced, and dreſſed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out, as good for nothing."
— 1785, James Boswell, quoting Samuel Johnson, Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnſon […] , London: Henry Baldwin, page 356:
""Why, pepper and salt your reasons!" cried Curl, forgetting to look at the door for a moment: "your pamphlet has talent; but talent is like a cucumber, nothing without the dressing. You must be more personal.""
— 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Publishing”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 14:
"Probably on account of its phallic formation, the cucumber is often assumed to have aphrodisiac qualities."
— 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 71:
"To the bowl, add cucumber, cabbage and carrot."
— 2025 March 12, David Tanis, “Cucumber-Cabbage Salad With Sesame”, in New York Times Cooking, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 13 Mar 2025:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The crunch of the fresh ____ added texture to the sandwich.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A ____ is related to a watermelon.