Apricot Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈær.pɪkət/

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A type of plum, a small deciduous tree or shrub of the genus Prunus, native to Central Asia, producing a sweet and juicy fruit with a soft, velvety skin.

Examples

The apricot tree in the garden was blooming beautifully.
The farmers harvested fresh apricots from the orchard.

Synonyms

Plum
Peach

Antonyms

Pineapple
Kiwi

Etymology

The word “apricot” comes from the Maltese noun “aprīkot”, which is a loanword from the Sanskrit word “Aprakshika”, meaning “fruit of the field”.

Usage Notes

Apricot is often used in culinary contexts, especially in discussing fruit preserves, jams, and baked goods.

Cultural References

Apricot is mentioned in various literary works, including the novel “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“Apricot” is not typically used in idiomatic expressions or phrases.

Related Words or Phrases

Peach
Persimmon

Collocations

Apricot jam
Apricot preserves

Frequency of Use

Apricot is a relatively infrequent word in modern language, but its frequency is increasing due to its growing popularity in culinary and health contexts.

Common Misspellings

Apricot is often misspelled as “apricot” or “apricote”.