lima bean: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to informal. The culinary and botanical uses are neutral. The slang use is informal.
Quick answer
What does “lima bean” mean?
A type of flat, pale green or white bean, eaten as a vegetable. The term refers to both the plant (Phaseolus lunatus) and its edible seed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of flat, pale green or white bean, eaten as a vegetable. The term refers to both the plant (Phaseolus lunatus) and its edible seed.
Sometimes used to refer to large, pale beans used in cooking more generally. In US school slang, can be a mildly derogatory term for something unappealing or boring (e.g., 'That movie was lima beans').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The pronunciation of 'lima' is the primary difference. The term is slightly more common in American English due to its prevalence in Southern and general US cuisine.
Connotations
In the UK, it is a recognized but less common vegetable. In the US, it is a standard pantry item, often associated with traditional dishes like succotash.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “lima bean” in a Sentence
grow lima beansserve lima beans withsubstitute lima beans forthink of something as (being) lima beans (slang)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lima bean” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They decided to lima-bean the entire plot, much to the neighbour's surprise. (very rare/nonce use)
American English
- He tried to lima-bean his way out of the spicy curry challenge. (slang, rare)
adverb
British English
- He ate lima-beanly, without any enthusiasm. (rare/nonce)
American English
- The meeting proceeded lima-beanly until the surprise announcement. (slang, rare)
adjective
British English
- The casserole had a distinctly lima-bean flavour.
American English
- It was a lima-bean kind of day—simple and unexciting. (slang)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in agricultural trade or food retail contexts.
Academic
Used in botany, agriculture, and nutritional science.
Everyday
Common in cooking and grocery contexts.
Technical
Specific in botany (Phaseolus lunatus).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lima bean”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lima bean”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lima bean”
- Misspelling as 'lima been'.
- Confusing pronunciation between US and UK standards.
- Using 'lima beans' as a countable noun for a single seed ('a lima bean' is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the UK, 'butter bean' usually refers to what Americans call 'lima beans'. In the US, 'butter bean' often specifies a smaller, younger lima bean, but the terms are frequently used interchangeably.
They are named after Lima, the capital of Peru, where the beans were originally cultivated, though the name uses the Anglophone pronunciation of the city.
'LYE-mə' is standard in British English. 'LEE-mə' is standard in American English. Both are correct within their respective dialects.
Yes, they are a good source of protein, fibre, iron, and other nutrients. However, they must be cooked thoroughly as raw or undercooked lima beans contain linamarin, which can release cyanide.
A type of flat, pale green or white bean, eaten as a vegetable. The term refers to both the plant (Phaseolus lunatus) and its edible seed.
Lima bean is usually neutral to informal. the culinary and botanical uses are neutral. the slang use is informal. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LIMA beans are LEE-mə or LYE-mə beans. Think: 'I'd LIE-MAH bed if I ate too many beans.' Or for the US: 'I'd like a LEE-MAH-ndful of beans.'
Conceptual Metaphor
METAPHOR: Blandness or basic sustenance ('It's the lima beans of pop music—nutritious but boring').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary difference in British and American usage of 'lima bean'?