Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Lemon Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🍋
Add to dictionary

lemon

[ˈlɛmən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

sour fruit

A yellow citrus fruit with a sour taste, typically used in cooking or for its juice.

Synonyms

citrus fruit, sour fruit.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
lemon

This word can be used when talking about the actual fruit, especially in cooking or describing its flavor. It can also metaphorically describe something defective or substandard, especially in the context of products like cars.

  • She added a slice of lemon to her tea.
  • This used car turned out to be a real lemon.
citrus fruit

This term is broader and includes lemons, oranges, grapefruits, limes, etc. It's best used in a general sense when talking about fruits that belong to the citrus family.

  • Citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C.
  • Oranges and lemons are both popular citrus fruits.
sour fruit

This phrase focuses on the taste profile and is useful when describing fruits that taste sour or have a tart flavor. It is less specific than 'lemon' and more about the taste rather than the type of fruit.

  • Lemons are a type of sour fruit.
  • She enjoys eating sour fruits like limes and lemons.

Examples of usage

  • Lemon is often used in making lemonade.
  • She added some lemon zest to the cake batter.
Context #2 | Noun

color

A pale or vivid yellow color resembling that of the lemon fruit.

Synonyms

pale yellow, yellow.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
lemon

Refers to a pale yellow color similar to the color of a lemon.

  • Her dress was a beautiful shade of lemon.
yellow

Refers to a more general or brighter shade of yellow. Can be used in a wide range of contexts including descriptions of objects, clothing, and nature.

  • The sunflowers in the garden are a vibrant yellow.
  • He painted his bedroom walls a bright yellow.
pale yellow

Describes a light, soft yellow color. Often used in fashion, design, and art.

  • The walls of the nursery were painted a soothing pale yellow.
  • She wore a pale yellow scarf that matched her hat.

Examples of usage

  • She painted her walls in a lovely lemon shade.
  • The dress she wore was a beautiful lemon color.
Context #3 | Verb

to add zest

To add liveliness or zest to something, like flavoring with lemon.

Synonyms

enliven, spice up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
lemon

Refers to the yellow citrus fruit. Can be used in cooking, drinks, or even as a metaphor for something sour.

  • Could you add a slice of lemon to my tea?
  • Lemon juice adds a refreshing taste to the salad.
enliven

This word is used to describe making something more lively, interesting, or enjoyable. It can be applied to various situations like parties, conversations, or even a piece of writing.

  • Her witty comments helped to enliven the dull meeting.
  • They tried to enliven the party by playing some upbeat music.
spice up

This phrase is used when you want to make something more interesting, exciting, or flavorful. It can apply to food, events, or even relationships.

  • We decided to spice up our dinner by trying out a new recipe.
  • She always knows how to spice up a conversation with her anecdotes.

Examples of usage

  • She loves to lemon up her salads with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
  • He lemoned up the boring conversation with a joke.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Uses

  • Lemon juice is often used in marinades to tenderize meat and enhance flavors.
  • In baking, lemons add acidity that can balance sweetness, especially in desserts like lemon meringue pie.

Health Benefits

  • High in vitamin C, lemons support the immune system and help in fighting colds.
  • They contain compounds called flavonoids, which may have antioxidant properties and promote heart health.

Cultural Significance

  • In Japanese culture, lemons symbolize purity and cleanliness, often used in traditional ceremonies.
  • In literature and film, the phrase 'when life gives you lemons' serves as a metaphor for making the best out of a difficult situation.

Science

  • Citrus fruits like lemons belong to the Rutaceae family, which includes oranges and grapefruits.
  • The acidic juice of lemons is due to citric acid, which makes up about 5-6% of its content.

Origin of 'lemon'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'lemon' comes from the Arabic 'laymun,' which was adopted into Middle English in the 14th century.
  • Earlier forms of the word can be traced back to the Persian language 'līmū,' meaning 'citrus fruit.'

The word 'lemon' originated from Old French 'limon', which in turn came from Arabic 'laymūn' and Persian 'līmū', referring to the citrus fruit. Lemons are believed to have been first grown in Assam, a region in northeast India, northern Burma, and China. They were introduced to the Mediterranean region around the 1st century AD. Lemons have since become a popular ingredient in cooking, baking, and beverages around the world.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,830 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.