lychee

noun

ly·​chee ˈlē-(ˌ)chē  ˈlī- 

variants or litchi or less commonly lichee

1

or lychee nut or litchi nut or less commonly lichee nut : the small, oval to roundish fruit of a Chinese tree (Litchi chinensis) of the soapberry family having a rough or warty, yellow, pink, or reddish leathery rind and sweet to slightly acidic usually whitish edible flesh that surrounds a single large seed

Note: The lychee, grown commercially in tropical and subtropical regions, is a type of fruit called a drupe, and its edible flesh is the fruit's aril.

2

: a slow-growing tree that bears lychees and has glossy, leathery leaves and terminal clusters of tiny, apetalous, greenish-white to yellow flowers

Examples of lychee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also, sniff for lychee, pistachio, bergamot, and Turkish rose. —Calin Van Paris, Outside Online, 20 Mar. 2025

The wine showcases lychee, rose petal, and a touch of spice, with a balanced sweetness. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

There's also a seasonal Cherry Blossom Martini, made with Hendrick's Gin, St. Germain Elderflower, strawberry, lychee, pineapple and lemon. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025

The Golden Hour combines nonalcoholic mezcal with chamomile, mango, lemon, and hop water; the Lychee Cobbler mixes Seedlip Spice with lychee, orgeat, and lime. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Beijing) lìzhī

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lychee

noun

ly·​chee

variants or litchi also lichee

ˈlē-(ˌ)chē,

ˈlī-

1

: the oval fruit of a Chinese tree related to the soapberries and having a hard reddish outer covering and sweet whitish edible flesh surrounding a single large seed

called also lychee nut

2

: a tree bearing lychees

Etymology

from Chinese lìzhī "lychee"