grapefruit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral, used in everyday, commercial, and technical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “grapefruit” mean?
A large, round citrus fruit with a yellow rind, sometimes tinged with pink or red, and a juicy, somewhat sour to semi-sweet pulp that can be pink, red, or white.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, round citrus fruit with a yellow rind, sometimes tinged with pink or red, and a juicy, somewhat sour to semi-sweet pulp that can be pink, red, or white.
The tree (Citrus × paradisi) that bears this fruit. In diet and health contexts, it refers to the fruit as a component of specific dietary plans (e.g., the grapefruit diet) or as an item with notable interactions with certain medications.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The fruit is equally common and referred to identically.
Connotations
Similar connotations of health, breakfast, and sometimes dieting in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects. Slight potential for more frequent mention in US contexts due to larger domestic production (Florida, Texas, California).
Grammar
How to Use “grapefruit” in a Sentence
to eat a grapefruitto juice a grapefruitto peel a grapefruitto be rich in grapefruitto avoid grapefruit (with medication)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grapefruit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Grapefruit is not used as a verb.
American English
- Grapefruit is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Grapefruit is not used as an adverb.
American English
- Grapefruit is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- She preferred the grapefruit marmalade to the orange one.
- The grapefruit scent of the candle was refreshing.
American English
- He ordered the grapefruit salad with avocado.
- The cocktail had a strong grapefruit flavor.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In agriculture, import/export, and supermarket retail: 'The grapefruit yield from Florida is down this season.'
Academic
In botany, nutrition science, and pharmacology: 'The study examined furanocoumarins in grapefruit and their inhibitory effect on CYP3A4.'
Everyday
In cooking and daily conversation: 'Would you like some grapefruit with your breakfast?'
Technical
In medicine/pharmacology: 'Contraindicated with grapefruit juice due to potential elevated serum concentration.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grapefruit”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grapefruit”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grapefruit”
- Spelling as 'grape fruit' (two words is archaic).
- Using uncountable syntax (e.g., 'I like grapefruit' is fine, but 'I ate three grapefruit' is less standard than 'three grapefruits').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a distinct hybrid citrus species, likely originating from a cross between a sweet orange and a pomelo. It has a unique, more bitter and tart flavour profile.
Grapefruit contains compounds (furanocoumarins) that inhibit an enzyme in the intestines responsible for breaking down many drugs. This can lead to dangerously high levels of medication in the bloodstream.
Pink and red grapefruits contain the antioxidant lycopene, which gives them their colour and may offer slightly different nutritional benefits. White (or yellow) grapefruit is typically more tart.
It gets its name from the way it grows on the tree in clusters, similar to grapes, not from its taste or relation to grapes.
A large, round citrus fruit with a yellow rind, sometimes tinged with pink or red, and a juicy, somewhat sour to semi-sweet pulp that can be pink, red, or white.
Grapefruit is usually neutral, used in everyday, commercial, and technical contexts. in register.
Grapefruit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡreɪpfruːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡreɪpˌfruːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The grapefruit diet”
- “A grapefruit interaction (medical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: It's a fruit that grows in clusters like grapes, but it's much bigger and more tart. Grape + Fruit = Grapefruit.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALTH IS CLEANSING (e.g., 'a grapefruit cleanse'), BITTERNESS IS PURITY (associated with its tart, 'clean' taste).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'grapefruit' most likely to be discussed as a potential problem?