litchi nut: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

The hard seed (the 'nut' itself) is generally not eaten raw and contains compounds that can be mildly toxic. The kernel inside is sometimes used in traditional medicine or processed for oil, but it is not a common food item.

A lychee (or litchi) is the whole fruit, consisting of a rough pink-red shell, sweet white aril (flesh), and a single brown seed. The 'litchi nut' refers specifically to that hard, brown seed.

It is very uncommon. You might find whole dried lychees (with the seed inside) sometimes labeled as 'litchi nuts' in some Asian markets, but you are more likely to find fresh or canned lychee fruit without the seed.

Because 'nut' suggests it's a snack like an almond or peanut, but it's actually a fruit seed. Also, historically, the term was used loosely for the whole dried fruit, leading to ambiguity about whether it includes the shriveled flesh or just the seed.

The edible, single seed of the litchi fruit, encased in a hard shell, from the tropical tree Litchi chinensis.

Litchi nut is usually specialized, culinary, technical in register.

Litchi nut: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɪtʃiː ˈnʌt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌliːtʃi ˈnʌt/ or /ˌlaɪtʃi ˈnʌt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.