What does kumquat mean?
A kumquat is a small citrus fruit, usually eaten whole because its thin skin is tender and edible. Its flesh is mildly sweet to noticeably tart, with a fragrance and flavour distinct from those of lemons, oranges, or mandarins. Kumquats are commonly made into preserves, marmalade, candied fruit, and confectionery, and they can also be sliced fresh or added to salads. The word may refer either to the fruit or to the evergreen tree that bears it, a tree that is also cultivated as an ornamental plant. Originally associated with regions of southern China, kumquats are now grown and enjoyed in many parts of the world, including South Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. The word is a familiar example of a globally popular food whose name preserves its East Asian linguistic origin.
nounA small, oval citrus fruit with a thin, edible peel and mildly sweet or tart flesh. The word can also refer to the small evergreen tree that produces the fruit.
- The small, oval, orange citrus fruit itself.
- The small evergreen tree that bears kumquat fruit.
"She served a platter of sliced kumquats with the cheese course."
"Kumquats have a sweet fragrance and a pleasantly tart flavour."
"The kumquat tree can be grown as an ornamental plant in a warm garden."
The regular plural is used for both the fruits and, when meaning the trees, the trees themselves.
"Fresh kumquats are available throughout the winter."
Unlike many citrus fruits, kumquats are commonly eaten whole, peel and all.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does kumquat come from?
The English word comes through a romanization of a Cantonese name for the fruit, commonly represented as gam gwat. Cantonese belongs to the Yue group of Chinese languages, and the term reflects the fruit's long cultivation in southern China. European use of the name spread during the period of expanding global trade in citrus fruit, although the precise date of its earliest English attestation is uncertain.
Related word forms
How kumquat is actually used
Kumquat is usually used as a countable noun. In British English the final vowel is generally pronounced with a broad open-o sound, while American English commonly uses an aw-like vowel. The spelling is the same in both varieties.