peach: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral; common in everyday conversation, literature, and descriptive texts.
Quick answer
What does “peach” mean?
A round, juicy fruit with soft, fuzzy skin, typically yellow or pink in colour, with a large central stone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A round, juicy fruit with soft, fuzzy skin, typically yellow or pink in colour, with a large central stone.
A person or thing regarded as especially attractive or excellent; a pale pinkish-orange colour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in core meaning. The slang verb 'to peach' (meaning to inform on someone) is archaic in both but slightly more recognised in BrE historical contexts. The term 'peach fuzz' (soft facial hair) is more common in AmE.
Connotations
Equally positive for the fruit and colour. The idiom 'peaches and cream' (referring to smooth, blemish-free skin) is used in both, but 'peachy' as an adjective meaning 'fine, excellent' is slightly more informal and dated in BrE.
Frequency
The noun is equally common. The colour adjective (e.g., 'peach walls') is marginally more frequent in interior design/AmE contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “peach” in a Sentence
N (countable)Adj + N (peach colour)V + N (eat a peach, peel a peach)N of N (a peach of a deal)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “peach” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He would never peach on his mates to the authorities. (archaic)
American English
- She threatened to peach about the plan. (archaic)
adjective
British English
- She painted her room a lovely peach colour.
American English
- He bought a peach shirt for the summer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in industries like agriculture, food retail, or interior design (e.g., 'The new peach-coloured packaging tested well.')
Academic
Rare, except in botanical, agricultural, or colour theory contexts.
Everyday
Very common for the fruit, colour, and informal compliments (e.g., 'You did a peach of a job!').
Technical
Specific to horticulture (cultivars, diseases) or colour science (hex codes, Pantone).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “peach”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “peach”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “peach”
- Using it as a mass noun for the fruit (e.g., 'I eat peach' instead of 'I eat a peach/peaches'). Confusing 'peach' (fruit) with 'beach' (seaside) in spelling/pronunciation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very rarely and archaically. The verb 'to peach' means to inform on someone (synonym: 'to squeal'). It is not used in modern everyday English.
They are closely related stone fruits. The key difference is the skin: peaches have fuzzy skin, while nectarines have smooth, shiny skin.
No. When used figuratively for a person ('She's a peach'), it is a compliment meaning they are pleasant, excellent, or attractive. The colour sense is also neutral/positive.
No, it is considered a distinct pale tint, a mixture of pink, orange, and white, named after the interior flesh of the fruit.
A round, juicy fruit with soft, fuzzy skin, typically yellow or pink in colour, with a large central stone.
Peach is usually neutral; common in everyday conversation, literature, and descriptive texts. in register.
Peach: in British English it is pronounced /piːtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /piːtʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “peaches and cream (complexion)”
- “a peach of a (something excellent)”
- “life isn't all peaches and cream”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BEACH. Imagine finding a perfect, fuzzy PEACH on the sand. The 'ea' in both words has the same long /iː/ sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXCELLENCE/ATTRACTIVENESS IS A PEACH (e.g., 'She's a real peach.'). SOFTNESS/FUZZINESS IS A PEACH SKIN (e.g., 'peach fuzz').
Practice
Quiz
In the idiom 'peaches and cream', what is typically being described?