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

Judging Panel described the Tomatin single malt Scotch whisky as featuring: Succulent aromas of lychee, creamy vanilla, and warm cinnamon. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

This nourishing serum is powered by a blend of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts, all of which contain a slew of antioxidants that condition dry ends and protect against damage-inducing environmental aggressors. —Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Dec. 2024

The mix of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss-flower extracts protects the hair from oxidative stress and preserves color. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024

Ackee, a relative of lychee in the fruit family with only the faintest whisper of sweetness takes on the texture and consistency of a scrambled egg once cooked. —Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2024

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"