adam's apple
B1Neutral to informal. Common in everyday speech and medical/biological contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The visible lump or projection at the front of the throat, formed by the thyroid cartilage of the larynx, which is typically more prominent in adult males.
A prominent physical feature associated with the throat, often used as a symbol of masculinity or puberty. Can be referenced in contexts discussing anatomy, voice changes, or physical appearance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is inherently countable and typically singular. While named due to the biblical story of Adam, it is not a religious term in modern usage. It refers specifically to the cartilage, not the whole larynx or voice box.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling retains the apostrophe+s in both variants.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common and understood in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have + a/an + (adjective) + Adam's applewatch + possessive + Adam's apple + verbVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in biological, anatomical, or medical texts discussing human physiology or sexual dimorphism.
Everyday
Commonly used to describe a person's appearance, especially in males during and after puberty.
Technical
The preferred technical term is 'laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has a big Adam's apple.
- My brother's Adam's apple moves when he talks.
- The singer's prominent Adam's apple moved as he hit the high note.
- During puberty, a boy's Adam's apple often becomes more noticeable.
- His sharp Adam's apple bobbed convulsively as he struggled to answer the difficult question.
- The model's androgynous look was emphasised by her lack of a prominent Adam's apple.
- The endocrine disorder had prevented the usual development of masculine features, including a pronounced laryngeal prominence, commonly known as an Adam's apple.
- Caricaturists often exaggerate the Adam's apple to denote masculinity or nervousness in their subjects.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of ADAM from the Bible. The story says he ate the APPLE and a piece got stuck in his throat. The lump in a man's throat reminds people of that story.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A NARRATIVE (a physical feature embodies a story).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calques like 'Adam's яблоко' in English; use only 'Adam's apple'.
- Do not confuse with 'кадык' (kadik), which is a colloquial Turkic-derived term; the English term is not colloquial in the same way.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'Adams apple' (missing apostrophe).
- Using it to refer to the throat in general.
- Applying it equally to women (it is possible but highly atypical).
Practice
Quiz
What is the 'Adam's apple' primarily composed of?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all humans have the same thyroid cartilage structure. However, it is usually less prominent and therefore less visible in women due to anatomical differences in the angle of the cartilage.
It derives from the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where a piece of the forbidden fruit (traditionally depicted as an apple) was said to have become lodged in Adam's throat.
No, it is a common vernacular term. The correct anatomical term is the 'laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage'.
Its size and prominence increase during male puberty due to the growth of the larynx under the influence of hormones. It does not change size in adulthood under normal circumstances, though it may appear to move when swallowing.