surinam cherry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowtechnical/horticultural; everyday in regions where the fruit is common
Quick answer
What does “surinam cherry” mean?
A small, ribbed, bright red or orange edible fruit from the tropical American shrub Eugenia uniflora, with a tangy flavour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, ribbed, bright red or orange edible fruit from the tropical American shrub Eugenia uniflora, with a tangy flavour.
The fruit is often used in jams, jellies, and beverages. The term can also refer to the evergreen shrub or small tree itself, which is cultivated as an ornamental and for its fruit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage, but the alternative name 'pitanga' or 'Brazilian cherry' may be more familiar in some American contexts.
Connotations
Primarily denotes a specific exotic fruit; may evoke tropical or garden settings.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, except in horticultural or botanical circles.
Grammar
How to Use “surinam cherry” in a Sentence
a cluster of surinam cherriesthe fruit of the surinam cherryVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in niche agricultural import/export or specialty food markets.
Academic
Used in botanical, horticultural, or agricultural texts describing species and cultivation.
Everyday
Used when discussing gardening, foraging, or cooking in regions where the plant grows.
Technical
Standard term in taxonomy (Eugenia uniflora) and horticultural guides for tropical fruit cultivation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “surinam cherry”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “surinam cherry”
- Misspelling as 'Suriname cherry' (though 'Surinam' is standard for the fruit name).
- Confusing it with the unrelated 'Barbados cherry' (Malpighia emarginata).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a true cherry (genus Prunus). It belongs to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae).
Yes, they are edible raw, though their flavour can be quite tart and sometimes resinous.
It is native to tropical South America, from Suriname to southern Brazil.
No, it is a tropical to subtropical plant and is sensitive to frost.
A small, ribbed, bright red or orange edible fruit from the tropical American shrub Eugenia uniflora, with a tangy flavour.
Surinam cherry is usually technical/horticultural; everyday in regions where the fruit is common in register.
Surinam cherry: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsʊər.ɪˌnæm ˈtʃer.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsʊr.ɪˌnɑːm ˈtʃer.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cherry travelling from SURINAM (South America) to your garden.
Conceptual Metaphor
FRUIT AS A JEWEL (the shiny, ribbed fruit resembles a faceted gem).
Practice
Quiz
What is another common name for the surinam cherry?