fig: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Formal
Quick answer
What does “fig” mean?
A soft, sweet, pear-shaped fruit, often eaten dried or fresh.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A soft, sweet, pear-shaped fruit, often eaten dried or fresh.
1. The Ficus tree, on which this fruit grows. 2. A thing of little importance, often in the phrase 'not care a fig'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The idiomatic expression 'fig leaf' (symbol of modest covering) is equally common in both. 'Fig out/up' meaning to dress showily is dated but slightly more current in British historical literature.
Connotations
In UK, 'fig roll' (biscuit) is a specific common collocation. In US, 'Fig Newton' (trademark) is the parallel term.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK food contexts due to Mediterranean influence; in US, often associated with health foods or biblical references.
Grammar
How to Use “fig” in a Sentence
a fig of [a place] (e.g., a fig of Turkey)not care a fig for [someone/something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fig” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She was all figged out in her new finery for the party. (archaic)
American English
- He figged up the report with unnecessary graphics. (rare)
adjective
British English
- The fig flavour in this jam is too subtle. (as noun adjunct)
American English
- Fig trees can be grown in warm climates. (as noun adjunct)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in agriculture/import ('fig exports'). 'Fig leaf' can metaphorically describe a superficial compliance measure.
Academic
Botany (Ficus species), history of art (fig leaf as censorship), biblical studies.
Everyday
Cooking, gardening, diet. The idiom 'not give a fig' is informal.
Technical
Horticulture (cultivation, varieties like 'Black Mission'), nutrition (dietary fibre source).
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fig”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fig”
- Using 'fig' as a countable noun for the tree is correct ('a fig'), but specifying often requires 'fig tree'. 'Fig' is not typically used as a verb in modern English outside archaic 'fig out'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely in modern English. 'Fig out/up' meaning to dress or decorate elaborately is considered archaic or dialectal.
It means to not care at all, to consider something utterly insignificant.
When ripe, most common varieties are sweet. Unripe figs can be bland and contain latex sap.
A fig is the fruit. A Fig Newton (US) or fig roll (UK) is a baked pastry or biscuit with a fig paste filling.
A soft, sweet, pear-shaped fruit, often eaten dried or fresh.
Fig is usually neutral to formal in register.
Fig: in British English it is pronounced /fɪɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /fɪɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not care/give a fig (for)”
- “fig leaf (a scanty covering or a token gesture)”
- “in full fig (dressed up)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FIG: Fruit Is Good. Imagine a FIGure wearing only a FIG leaf.
Conceptual Metaphor
INSIGNIFICANCE AS A FIG ('not worth a fig'), MODESTY/COVERING AS A FIG LEAF.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary metaphorical meaning of 'fig leaf'?