Meaning & Definition of word "Lemon"

Lemon

/ˈlɛmən/

noun:

  • 1. A yellow, oval citrus fruit with thick skin and tart pulp.
    • Example: She added a slice of lemon to her iced tea for extra flavor.
  • 2. A small tree (Citrus limon) that bears lemons.
    • Example: The lemon tree in their backyard was full of ripe fruit.
  • 3. An object, such as a vehicle, that is defective or unsatisfactory.
    • Example: After only a month of driving, he realized he had bought a lemon.

verb:

  • 1. To fail or perform poorly in a particular situation.
    • Example: He really lemoned that presentation; it didn't go as planned.

Etymology

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

Common Phrases and Expressions

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'.

Related Words

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.

Slang Meanings of lemon

Meaning: A bad investment or poor-quality item.

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

Meaning: Someone who is clumsy or prone to making mistakes.

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