apples: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral (used across all registers)
Quick answer
What does “apples” mean?
The plural form of apple, referring to the edible fruit of the apple tree (Malus domestica).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The plural form of apple, referring to the edible fruit of the apple tree (Malus domestica).
Often used in idiomatic expressions, comparisons, or to symbolise health, simplicity, or a generic object (e.g., 'apples and oranges').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The word itself is identical. Some compound terms or specific varieties may differ (e.g., 'cooking apple' vs. 'tart apple' in recipes).
Connotations
Similar positive connotations of health and simplicity in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common and high-frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “apples” in a Sentence
VERB + apples (eat, buy, pick, slice)ADJECTIVE + apples (fresh, rotten, green)QUANTIFIER + of + apples (bag, basket, kilo)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “apples” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He apples the trees every autumn. (Rare/archaic, meaning 'to form fruit')
American English
- (No common verb use. 'To apple' is obsolete.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverb form.)
American English
- (No adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- (No direct adjective. Attributive use: 'apple crumble', 'apple tree'.)
American English
- (No direct adjective. Attributive use: 'apple sauce', 'apple picking'.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In agriculture, retail, or supply chain contexts (e.g., 'This season's apple yield exceeded expectations.').
Academic
In botanical, nutritional, or economic studies (e.g., 'The study compared antioxidant levels in different apple cultivars.').
Everyday
Ubiquitous in shopping, cooking, and general conversation (e.g., 'Could you grab some apples from the market?').
Technical
In pomology (fruit science) or food technology (e.g., 'The apples were treated with a controlled atmosphere to extend shelf life.').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apples”
- Using uncountable construction (e.g., 'I eat a lot of apple' instead of '...apples').
- Misspelling as 'appels'.
- Incorrect agreement: 'These apples is delicious.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'apple' is a countable noun. The plural 'apples' is used for more than one fruit. However, when referring to the substance (e.g., in food), we use terms like 'apple sauce' or 'stewed apple'.
'Apple' is used attributively (like an adjective) in compounds to describe the type (e.g., apple pie, apple tree). 'Apples' is the plural noun used when referring to the fruits themselves (e.g., 'I need apples for the pie').
The most common is confusing the singular and plural, or misspelling it as 'appels' (a common error due to pronunciation). Remember the double 'p'.
No, 'apples' is strictly plural. The singular is 'apple'. However, you can use it with a collective sense (e.g., 'Apples are a type of fruit'), which is plural in form but generic in meaning.
The plural form of apple, referring to the edible fruit of the apple tree (Malus domestica).
Apples is usually neutral (used across all registers) in register.
Apples: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæp.l̩z/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæp.əlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “apples and oranges”
- “the apple of one's eye”
- “upset the apple cart”
- “as American as apple pie”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the phrase 'An APPLE a day keeps the doctor away' – the 'A' in APPLE can remind you of the plural 'S' for many apples.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALTH IS APPLES; SIMPLICITY IS APPLES; A PROTOTYPICAL THING IS AN APPLE (as in 'apple of my eye').
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'apples and oranges' mean?