apricot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral. Common in both everyday conversation and descriptive writing.
Quick answer
What does “apricot” mean?
A small, soft, round fruit with yellowish-orange flesh and a large, hard seed inside.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, soft, round fruit with yellowish-orange flesh and a large, hard seed inside.
A pale yellowish-orange colour similar to that of the ripe fruit. Also used to describe things of this colour or with qualities reminiscent of the fruit (e.g., sweetness, softness).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary difference is in the pronunciation of the first vowel. British English typically uses /ˈeɪ.prɪ.kɒt/ while American English uses /ˈæ.prɪ.kɑːt/ or /ˈeɪ.prɪ.kɑːt/. No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Similar positive connotations of summer, sweetness, and delicacy in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties as a fruit name. The colour term may be slightly more frequent in UK fashion/design descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “apricot” in a Sentence
[Verb] + apricot: grow, pick, eat, slice, stew, can[Adjective] + apricot: fresh, dried, canned, ripe, overripe, juicy, tartVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “apricot” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She painted her bedroom a lovely apricot shade.
- The recipe calls for apricot conserve.
American English
- He bought an apricot-colored tie for the wedding.
- The apricot preserves are homemade.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in agriculture, food import/export, and retail (e.g., 'This year's apricot yield was exceptional.').
Academic
Rare, except in botanical, agricultural, or nutritional studies.
Everyday
Common in discussions of food, cooking, shopping, and colour description.
Technical
Used in horticulture (cultivars, diseases), food science (preservation, pectin content), and colourimetry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “apricot”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apricot”
- Misspelling as 'apricott' or 'apricod'. Confusing it with a peach or nectarine, though it is smaller and smoother-skinned.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is countable when referring to individual fruits (e.g., 'I bought three apricots'). It is uncountable when referring to the substance or flavour (e.g., 'This cake contains apricot').
Apricots are generally smaller, smoother, and have a more tart flavour than peaches. Their flesh is also a firmer, less juicy texture.
Yes, commonly in a colour sense (e.g., 'an apricot scarf') or to describe a product made from the fruit (e.g., 'apricot yoghurt'). It is used attributively, not predicatively (we say 'The scarf is apricot-coloured', not *'The scarf is apricot').
The /ˈæ.prɪ.kɑːt/ pronunciation follows a pattern of vowel variation in American English (like 'tomato', 'drama'). The /ˈeɪ.prɪ.kɑːt/ variant aligns with the British pronunciation and is also widely accepted, leading to variation across regions and speakers.
A small, soft, round fruit with yellowish-orange flesh and a large, hard seed inside.
Apricot is usually neutral. common in both everyday conversation and descriptive writing. in register.
Apricot: in British English it is pronounced /ˈeɪ.prɪ.kɒt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæ.prɪ.kɑːt/, /ˈeɪ.prɪ.kɑːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A PRIncely fruit is an APRICOT' – it has a golden-orange colour fit for royalty.
Conceptual Metaphor
SWEETNESS IS PLEASANTNESS / GOLDEN-COLOURED IS VALUABLE (e.g., 'apricot moments' for happy memories, 'apricot glow' of sunset).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a key collocation with 'apricot'?