Lemon Meaning
/ˈlɛmən/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA yellowish citrus fruit.
nounA semitropical evergreen tree, Citrus limon, that bears such fruits.
Sentence Examples
If you add lemon, it will become sour.
The lemon is a sour fruit.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
She squeezed a fresh ____ into her tea to add a tangy flavor.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She added a squeeze of fresh ____ to the tea to give it a bright and zesty flavor that everyone enjoyed tonight.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Middle English lymon English lemon Inherited from Middle English lymon, from Old French lymon (“citrus”), from Arabic لَيْمُون (laymūn) or Classical Persian لِیمُون (līmūn), a variant of Classical Persian لِیمُو (līmū, līmō), from Sanskrit निम्बू (nimbū, “lime”), ultimately from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *limaw or Munda. Doublet of lime. The fandom sense is named after the erotic anime series Cream Lemon.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The juice of Lemmons killeth Warts, but better the water of the ſame juice, diſtilled through a glaſs."
— 1680, T. K., The Kitchin-Phyſician; Or, a Guide for Good-Housewives in Maintaining Their Families in Health. […] , How to take away Warts off the Face or Hands, page 14:
"[J]uſt at the laſt ſcald four or five ſpoonfuls of thick new cream, with a few drops of lemon or vinegar, muſhrooms pickled do well, […]"
— 1737, E[liza] S[mith], “Sauce for Boiled Turkey or Chickens”, in The Compleat Housewife: Or, Accomplish’d Gentlewoman’s Companion: […], London: […] J[ohn] and J[ohn] Pemberton, […], →OCLC, page 99:
"[S]tir into this, after taking from the fire, two ounces of butter cut into little bits, putting in one piece at a time, and squeeze a few drops of lemon in this sauce."
— 1887, Sarah A. Grier, chapter VIII, in A Few Hints about Cooking, with Remarks on Many Other Subjects, Boston, Mass.: Wright & Potter Printing Company, […], →OCLC, page 111:
"The fact that he is drinking lemon is, therefore, an image of the bitterness of his life."
— 1989, David Johnston, “Notes”, in Federico García Lorca, translated by David Johnston, Blood Wedding, London: Hodder & Stoughton, published 1998 (17th impression), →ISBN, note 14, page 109:
"She should stay in bed for 40 days and should avoid getting close to her husband till the end of 40 days, not taking a shower, not drinking lemon, and not letting anybody enter her room while she has her menses because this will affect her milk."
— 2018, Jehad O. Halabi, quoting Muna, “Case Study: Traditional Health Beliefs of Arabic Culture During Pregnancy”, in Marilyn “Marty” Douglas, Dula Pacquiao, Larry Purnell, editors, Global Applications of Culturally Competent Health Care: Guidelines for Practice, Cham: Springer International Publishing AG, →ISBN, part II (Guideline: Education and Training), page 79, column 1:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She squeezed a fresh ____ into her tea to add a tangy flavor.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She added a squeeze of fresh ____ to the tea to give it a bright and zesty flavor that everyone enjoyed tonight.