Nectarine: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'nectarine' when referring to a smooth-skinned fruit that is similar to a peach but usually firmer. This term is commonly used in both everyday conversation and culinary contexts.

• I bought some juicy nectarines from the farmer's market.
• Nectarines are a great addition to fruit salads.

Use 'peach' for a fruit with a fuzzy skin, widely recognized and liked for its sweet flavor. This term is very common in both casual and formal settings.

• She made a delicious peach cobbler for dessert.
• He picked a fresh peach from the tree.

This term is more technical and general, referring to a category of fruits that have a large “stone” or seed inside, like peaches, nectarines, cherries, and plums. It is often used in culinary and botanical contexts.

• Stone fruits are in season during the summer.

This term is less common and might be used metaphorically or descriptively to emphasize the sweet and juicy nature of the fruit. It might also be used in marketing or poetic language.

• Taste the nectar fruit of summer in every bite.