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often attributive
1
: the fleshy, usually rounded red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a usually cultivated tree (genus Malus) of the rose family
also
: an apple tree compare crab apple
2
: a fruit (such as a star apple) or other vegetative growth (such as an oak apple) suggestive of an apple
Phrases
apple of one's eye
: one that is highly cherished
his daughter is the apple of his eye
Examples of apple in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Parents can order signature holiday cocktails, while children and grownups who abstain can enjoy hot chocolate and apple cider.
—Margaux Lushing, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Every Christmas, the family decorated a tree with apples, as was the German custom.
—Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Inside, a cozy mid-century interior awaits, as does a wood-burning stove—perfect for heating up some hot apple cider.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2024
The family-run business in Denver’s Mayfair neighborhood offers classic flavors like strawberry and watermelon, but also has fall flavors currently, like caramel apple.
—Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apple
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Word History
Etymology
Middle English appel, from Old English æppel; akin to Old High German apful apple, Old Irish ubull, Old Church Slavic ablŭko
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of apple was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing apple
- Adam's apple
- apple butter
- apple-cheeked
- apple-knocker
- apple maggot
- apple-pie
- apple-polish
- apple scab
- (as) American as apple pie
- bad apple
- candy apple
- cedar-apple rust
- crab apple
- custard apple
- in apple-pie order
- lady apple
- love apple
- oak apple
- star apple
- sugar apple
- the apple of someone's eye
- thorn apple
- upset the apple cart
Dictionary Entries Near apple
Cite this Entry
“Apple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apple. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
apple
noun
ap·ple
ˈap-əl
: a rounded fruit with a red, yellow, or green skin, firm white flesh and a seedy core
also
: the tree of the rose family that bears this fruit
Medical Definition
apple
noun
ap·ple
ˈap-əl
: the fleshy usually rounded and red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a tree (genus Malus) of the rose family
also
: an apple tree
More from Merriam-Webster on apple
Nglish: Translation of apple for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of apple for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apple
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