cherimoya: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequencyFormal/informational, culinary, botanical
Quick answer
What does “cherimoya” mean?
A tropical fruit native to the Andes, with green, scaly or bumpy skin and sweet, creamy white flesh with large black seeds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tropical fruit native to the Andes, with green, scaly or bumpy skin and sweet, creamy white flesh with large black seeds.
The tree (Annona cherimola) that produces this fruit, also known as the custard apple tree. In some cultural contexts, it can metaphorically represent exotic delicacy or tropical abundance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The term is used identically. Spelling is consistently 'cherimoya'.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotes exoticism and gourmet/specialist food contexts. Slightly more likely to be known in the US in regions with Latin American influence (e.g., California, Florida).
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects. Slightly higher chance of exposure in American English due to greater commercial cultivation in California and Hawaii.
Grammar
How to Use “cherimoya” in a Sentence
to eat a cherimoyato grow cherimoyasto peel a cherimoyathe flavour of cherimoyaVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in import/export, specialty food retail, and agricultural reports.
Academic
Used in botanical, horticultural, and culinary studies texts.
Everyday
Used in conversations about exotic fruits, cooking, or travel experiences.
Technical
Used in agricultural manuals, botanical classifications, and food science literature discussing tropical cultivars.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cherimoya”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cherimoya”
- Misspelling as 'cherimaya' or 'cherrymoya'. Incorrect pluralisation as 'cherimoyas' (accepted) versus hypercorrect 'cherimoies'. Using it as a countable noun for the tree without specifying 'tree'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Cut it in half and scoop out the creamy flesh with a spoon, avoiding the large, inedible black seeds.
It is often described as a blend of banana, pineapple, papaya, peach, and strawberry, with a very creamy, almost custard-like texture.
Cherimoya is a specific species (Annona cherimola). 'Custard apple' is a broader common name that can refer to several Annona species, including cherimoya, making the terms sometimes interchangeable in casual use.
In specialist greengrocers, international markets, or supermarkets with extensive exotic fruit sections, primarily during its season (late winter to spring in many regions).
A tropical fruit native to the Andes, with green, scaly or bumpy skin and sweet, creamy white flesh with large black seeds.
Cherimoya is usually formal/informational, culinary, botanical in register.
Cherimoya: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃɛrɪˈmɔɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃɛrəˈmɔɪə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHERI' (like cherry) + 'MOYA' (sounds like 'moi' French for me). 'A cherry for me? No, a CHERIMOYA for me!' – a more exotic treat.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXOTIC LUXURY IS A CHERIMOYA (e.g., 'That holiday was the cherimoya of trips—incredibly rich and rare').
Practice
Quiz
What is a cherimoya?