bigarreau: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowSpecialist / Botanical / Culinary
Quick answer
What does “bigarreau” mean?
A type of sweet cherry with firm, crisp flesh and a two-colored skin, typically mottled red and yellow.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of sweet cherry with firm, crisp flesh and a two-colored skin, typically mottled red and yellow.
Any variety of cherry characterized by its firm, crunchy texture and bi-colored appearance, prized for fresh eating rather than cooking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both dialects. More likely to be encountered in historical or specialist British gardening texts. In the US, the fruit is more commonly referred to by a specific cultivar name (e.g., 'Rainier') or simply as a 'sweet cherry' or 'firm-fleshed cherry'.
Connotations
Connotes heritage, heirloom varieties, and specialist knowledge. Can sound old-fashioned or highly technical.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech. Confined to specialist contexts like fruit cultivation, seed catalogues, historical recipes, or gourmet food writing.
Grammar
How to Use “bigarreau” in a Sentence
[The] + bigarreau + [verb e.g., *is*, *ripens*, *originated*][Adjective] + bigarreau + [noun e.g., *cherry*, *variety*]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bigarreau” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The bigarreau varieties in the orchard were particularly prolific this year.
- She sought a true bigarreau cherry for her Victorian garden restoration.
American English
- The bigarreau cultivar 'Royal Ann' is excellent for canning.
- This is a bigarreau-type cherry, known for its crack-resistant flesh.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the business of fruit farming, nursery stock, or gourmet produce marketing.
Academic
Used in botanical, horticultural, or historical agricultural papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used in pomology (study of fruit), plant taxonomy, and cultivar descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bigarreau”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bigarreau”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bigarreau”
- Using it as a general term for 'cherry'.
- Misspelling it as 'bigarreaux', 'bigaro', or 'bigarreau cherry' (though 'cherry' is often added for clarity).
- Pronouncing it /ˈbɪɡəruː/ (misplacing the stress and vowel).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialist term used mainly in horticulture and gourmet contexts.
No. It refers specifically to varieties with firm flesh and often a two-colored skin. Size is not the defining characteristic.
In British English, it is /ˌbɪɡəˈrəʊ/ (big-uh-ROH). In American English, it is /ˌbɪɡəˈroʊ/ (big-uh-ROH). The stress is on the last syllable.
Bigarreau cherries are sweet, firm, and often bi-colored, eaten fresh. Morello cherries are sour, softer, and dark red, used primarily for cooking and preserves.
A type of sweet cherry with firm, crisp flesh and a two-colored skin, typically mottled red and yellow.
Bigarreau is usually specialist / botanical / culinary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none exist for this highly specific term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BIG ARROW pointing to a special, two-toned cherry. 'Big-arrow' sounds like 'bigarreau', a cherry that stands out.
Conceptual Metaphor
(Not commonly metaphorical. Literal term for a fruit.)
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'bigarreau'?