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

Noun (1)

• beans
• bubkes
• bupkes
• bupkus
• continental
• damn
• darn
• durn
• diddly [slang]
• diddly-squat [slang]
• doodley-squat
• doodly-squat
• ghost
• hoot
• iota
• jot
• lick
• modicum
• rap
• squat [slang]
• syllable
• tittle
• whit
• whoop

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

Or for something simple but still a surprising flavor, try the Figgy Smalls ($12) with fig washed Fox Trail straight bourbon and vermouth plus lemon and orange bitters. —Alex Golden, Axios, 5 Feb. 2025

Imagine a centerpiece plant as impressive as an inedible monstera or fiddle leaf fig—favorites among houseplant enthusiasts—but that can also provide you with a harvest. —Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2025

Seagle’s last stop was the towering Moreton Bay fig that had shaded the property for decades. —Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025

The finish imparts cognac flavors like plum, vanilla and light fig, as well as textures—sips are ultra-smooth with pronounced agave notes that linger on the palate. —Jillian Dara, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

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

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