Lemon

/ˈlɛmən/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A yellow, oval citrus fruit with thick skin and tart pulp.

She added a slice of lemon to her iced tea for extra flavor.

A small tree (Citrus limon) that bears lemons.

The lemon tree in their backyard was full of ripe fruit.

An object, such as a vehicle, that is defective or unsatisfactory.

After only a month of driving, he realized he had bought a lemon.

verb

To fail or perform poorly in a particular situation.

He really lemoned that presentation; it didn't go as planned.

Middle English, from Old French 'limon', from Arabic 'laymūn', ultimately from Persian 'līmū'.

when life gives you lemons

A phrase encouraging optimism in the face of adversity.

lemon law

A law that provides remedies to buyers of faulty vehicles.

lemon squeezy

Easy or simple, often used in the phrase 'easy peasy lemon squeezy'.

lime

A green citrus fruit, similar in taste to a lemon but less sour.

citrus

A genus of flowering trees and shrubs known for their juicy fruits.

zest

The outer peel of citrus fruits, used for flavoring.

A bad investment or poor-quality item.

I can't believe I wasted money on that phone; it's a total lemon.

Someone who is clumsy or prone to making mistakes.

He's such a lemon; he always trips over nothing.