What does lemon mean?
A lemon is the bright yellow citrus fruit of the lemon tree, known for its acidic juice, aromatic peel, and widespread use in cooking, drinks, and preserves. It can refer to the fruit itself, lemon juice or lemon-flavored preparations, and, informally, an object that performs poorly or disappoints its owner. The fruit has long been valued both for its distinctive flavor and for its preservative qualities, including its ability to prevent browning in some foods. In the informal sense, calling something a lemon means that it is faulty, disappointing, or frustrating, a comparison that became especially common for cars and household appliances. The word also has a rich international history, reflecting the movement of citrus fruits and cultivation techniques through Persia, the Mediterranean, and Europe.
nounA bright yellow, citrus fruit with a sour or acidic taste and a pale, segmented interior. In informal British and American English, it can also mean something disappointing or defective, especially an unreliable vehicle.
- A citrus fruit of the lemon tree, valued for its yellow rind, acidic juice, and culinary and flavoring uses.
- A drink or food preparation flavored or made with lemon juice.
- Informally, something regarded as disappointing, defective, or malfunctioning, especially a vehicle.
"She added a slice of lemon to her sparkling water."
"The recipe calls for the zest of one lemon and a squeeze of fresh juice."
"His old car was a lemon, and it refused to start on the first cold morning."
The plural is used for multiple fruits and, informally, for multiple defective or disappointing things.
"The market was filled with baskets of lemons."
The word lemon entered English through a long linguistic journey from Persian to Arabic, Greek, and Latin, eventually reaching English cooks in the 16th century.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lemon come from?
The English word lemon comes ultimately from Persian līmūn, meaning a sour citrus fruit. It passed through Arabic and medieval Latin before entering English in the 16th century, when lemons were becoming more familiar in Europe. The same broad root also underlies words such as lemonade, lemongrass, and lemon balm.
Related word forms
How lemon is actually used
The fruit and its culinary uses are standard in British and American English. The informal sense meaning a defective or disappointing thing is especially associated with American English but is also understood in British English.
Easily confused with lemon
A lemon is typically yellow and has a strongly acidic flavor, whereas a lime is usually green and tends to be sharper and more citrusy.