lemon
B1Informal (for faulty sense); Neutral (for fruit/sense).
Definition
Meaning
A yellow citrus fruit with sour juice and a thick skin.
Something that is faulty, unsatisfactory, or disappointing (especially a defective product, particularly a car); a pale yellow color; informal for a person who is simple or foolish.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary sense (fruit) is concrete and literal. The 'faulty' sense is metaphorical, common in informal/colloquial contexts, often implying a guarantee has been broken.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both the literal and metaphorical (faulty) senses are used in both varieties. The 'foolish person' sense is somewhat dated and slightly more common in British English.
Connotations
The 'faulty product' connotation is equally strong and negative in both varieties. The fruit itself carries positive connotations of freshness and health.
Frequency
The metaphorical 'faulty' sense is highly frequent in informal AmE and BrE. The fruit sense is equally common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
V (squeeze/slice) + lemonADJ (fresh/sour) + lemonlemon + N (tree/juice/law)be + a lemon (defective)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
- “buy a lemon”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The new model had to be recalled; it was a total lemon." (faulty product).
Academic
"The study analyzed the citric acid content in various lemon cultivars."
Everyday
"Could you add a slice of lemon to my water, please?"
Technical
"The mechanic identified the vehicle as a lemon under the state's consumer protection act."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The deal was completely lemoned from the start.
American English
- He got lemoned on that used car purchase.
adjective
British English
- She wore a lovely lemon-coloured dress.
American English
- The walls were painted a bright lemon yellow.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I drink tea with lemon.
- The lemon is yellow.
- This cake needs the juice of one lemon.
- My first car was a real lemon.
- The consumer protection laws are designed to help people who unknowingly purchase a lemon.
- She garnished the fish with a twist of lemon.
- The legislation, commonly known as the 'lemon law', provides robust recourse for buyers of defective vehicles.
- The critic described the play as a disappointingly lemon-like effort from an otherwise stellar playwright.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LEMON with an engine – it's a faulty car that won't run, just sits there being sour and useless.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOURCE OF DISAPPOINTMENT IS A SOUR/FAULTY LEMON.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating the 'faulty product' sense directly as 'лимон' without context, as this is a calque. In Russian, 'лимон' for a faulty car is slang, but in English 'lemon' is standard informal. The 'foolish person' sense is not common.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'lemon' as a standard adjective for color ('a lemon shirt') – it's more common as a noun modifier ('a lemon-yellow shirt'). Confusing 'lemon' (sour) with 'lime' (green, often more bitter).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'lemon' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's rare and highly informal. It means to treat someone unfairly or to be stuck with a defective item (e.g., 'I got lemoned').
It's not personally offensive but is strongly negative towards the object. Calling a person a 'lemon' (meaning fool) is mildly insulting and dated.
It's a US law (and concept in other countries) that protects consumers who buy vehicles or other major goods that repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance.
Lemons are larger, yellow, and have a sour, bright acidity. Limes are smaller, green, and have a more complex, tart, and sometimes bitter flavour. They are not interchangeable in most recipes.
Collections
Part of a collection
Food and Drink
A1 · 49 words · Common words for food, drink and meals.