fig

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈfig 

1

a

: an oblong or pear-shaped syconium fruit of a tree (genus Ficus) of the mulberry family

b

: a tree bearing figs : a ficus tree

especially : a widely cultivated tree (F. carica) that produces edible figs see also strangler fig, weeping fig compare banyan, peepul, rubber plant

2

: a worthless trifle : the least bit

doesn't care a fig

Illustration of fig

• fig 1

fig

2 of 3

noun (2)

: dress, array

… a young woman in dazzling royal full fig …

—Mollie Panter-Downes

fig

3 of 3

abbreviation

figurative; figuratively; figure

Synonyms of fig

Noun (1)

• damn
• lick
• whit
• hoot

Examples of fig in a Sentence

Noun (1)

they choose to live modestly and don't seem to give a fig for the trappings of success

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fruit trees Stone fruits, apples, pears, figs, pomegranates, pineapple guava, persimmon and other summer and early fall fruits are developing now. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026

Genny Marconcini, housekeeping manager at the Grand Hotel Victoria, says a delicate spray of the hotel’s signature scent—with notes of lemon, lotus flower, and sweet fig—during final inspection creates an immediate sense of comfort. —Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026

Cloistered in partial brick walls on the other side was an enormous Portuguese fig tree, filling almost the entire length of the wall and stretching its branches above the rooftop. —Samantha Falewée, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026

On Ocracoke Island in North Carolina's Outer Banks, only fig jam will do. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English fige, from Anglo-French, from Old Occitan figa, from Vulgar Latin *fica, from Latin ficus fig tree, fig

Noun (2)

fig, verb, to adorn

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1835, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fig

• fig leaf
• fig wasp
• not care/give a fig
• sacred fig
• strangler fig
• weeping fig

Rhymes for fig

• big
• brig
• brigg
• dig
• gig
• jig
• mig
• pig
• prig
• rig
• sprig
• swig

Kids Definition

fig

noun

ˈfig

: an oblong or pear-shaped fruit that grows on a tree related to the mulberries

also : a tree bearing figs

Medical Definition

fig

1 of 2 noun

ˈfig 

1

: an oblong or pear-shaped fruit that is a syconium

especially : the edible fruit of a widely cultivated tree (Ficus carica) that has laxative qualities

2

: any of a genus (Ficus) of trees of the mulberry family that produce figs

fig

2 of 2 abbreviation

figure