lemon

lem-on · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A yellow oval citrus fruit with thick skin and acidic, juicy pulp, used for flavoring and juice.

  2. 2.

    The evergreen tree (Citrus limon) that produces this fruit.

  3. 3.

    A pale yellow color resembling that of a lemon.

  4. 4.

    (informal) Something, especially a car, that proves to be defective or unsatisfactory.

Forms

plural: lemons

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    when life gives you lemons, make lemonade — make the best of a difficult situation
  • •
    lemon law — a law protecting buyers of defective vehicles
  • •
    a lemon — a faulty or worthless item (slang)
  • •
    squeeze the lemon — to extract maximum value from something

Related words

See also: citrus, lemonade, lime, orange
Synonyms: citrus

Etymology

From Old French limon, from Arabic laymun or limun, from Persian limun. The word entered English in the late Middle Ages through trade routes that brought citrus fruits from the Middle East and Asia.