green bean: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “green bean” mean?
The unripe, young fruit of the common bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris), eaten as a vegetable.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The unripe, young fruit of the common bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris), eaten as a vegetable.
Primarily literal; no common extended meanings in standard usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'green beans' is common, but specific types like 'runner beans' or 'fine beans' are often named. In American English, 'green beans' is the standard term for the vegetable.
Connotations
Similar in both dialects; no strong connotations.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to culinary prevalence; in British English, 'beans' often refers to baked beans, so 'green beans' is used for clarity.
Grammar
How to Use “green bean” in a Sentence
as direct object: 'cook green beans'with quantifiers: 'a pound of green beans'in compounds: 'green bean soup'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “green bean” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- green bean curry
- green bean stir-fry
American English
- green bean casserole
- green bean almondine
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the agricultural commodity or product in the food industry.
Academic
Used in botany, nutrition, and culinary studies to describe the plant or vegetable.
Everyday
Commonly used in cooking, grocery shopping, and meal planning.
Technical
In agriculture, refers to specific cultivars; in cooking, to preparation methods.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “green bean”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “green bean”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “green bean”
- Using 'green bean' as an uncountable noun; it is typically countable, e.g., 'green beans'.
- Confusing 'green bean' with 'broad bean' or other bean types.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most contexts, they refer to the same vegetable, though 'string bean' historically denoted varieties with a fibrous string that needed removal.
Blanch or steam green beans for a few minutes until tender-crisp, then immediately cool them in ice water to stop the cooking process.
Green beans are low in calories, rich in vitamins (like Vitamin C and K), minerals, and fiber, supporting overall health.
Yes, green beans can be eaten raw, but cooking often improves their texture and digestibility.
The unripe, young fruit of the common bean plant (Phaseolus vulgaris), eaten as a vegetable.
Green bean is usually neutral in register.
Green bean: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡriːn ˈbiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡriːn ˈbiːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the color green and the shape of a bean; the name is descriptive of the vegetable.
Conceptual Metaphor
Rarely used metaphorically; occasionally to describe inexperience, but not standard.
Practice
Quiz
What is a common synonym for 'green bean' in American English?