costard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / ArchaicHistorical / Literary
Quick answer
What does “costard” mean?
A large variety of cooking apple with a greenish-yellow skin and a ribbed or fluted shape.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large variety of cooking apple with a greenish-yellow skin and a ribbed or fluted shape.
Historically, a slang term for the head, particularly a large or round one.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, it is a known historical apple variety; the slang usage is also found in older British texts. In the US, the term is virtually unknown outside of very specific historical or Shakespearean scholarship.
Connotations
In the UK, it may evoke a rustic, historical, or Shakespearean connection. In the US, it has no general connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects; marginally higher recognition in the UK due to regional apple cultivation history.
Grammar
How to Use “costard” in a Sentence
[Noun] the costarda [Adjective] costardVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical linguistics, Shakespeare studies, or horticultural history.
Everyday
Not used in contemporary everyday language.
Technical
A recognized cultivar name in pomology (the study of fruit).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “costard”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'It costards a lot').
- Confusing it with 'custard'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered rare and archaic. It is primarily encountered in historical texts or in discussions of heritage apple varieties.
No, that usage is completely obsolete and would not be understood by most speakers.
You might find it in Shakespeare's plays (e.g., the character Costard), in historical novels, or in catalogues of traditional British apple cultivars.
Traditionally, no. Costards are classified as cooking apples, meaning they are typically tart and firm, best suited for baking, stewing, or making cider.
A large variety of cooking apple with a greenish-yellow skin and a ribbed or fluted shape.
Costard is usually historical / literary in register.
Costard: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒstəd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːstərd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in modern usage.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COST' + 'ARD'. An 'ard' (old word for a person) selling apples at a market might say, "What's the COST of this ARD's apple?" It's a COSTARD.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEAD IS A ROUND OBJECT (in the archaic slang sense).
Practice
Quiz
In its archaic slang sense, 'costard' could mean: