# almond

/ˈɑmənd/ (US) · /ˈɒlmənd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/almond
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the nut

noun · CEFR A2

a flat, oval nut that you can eat, often used in cakes or as a snack.

For teachers: the edible, drupaceous seed of the tree Prunus amygdalus, widely utilised in culinary contexts.

- She added chopped almonds to the top of the cake for extra crunch.
- The recipe calls for blanched almonds, which have had their thin brown skins removed to ensure a smoother texture in the final pastry.

### 2. the tree

noun · CEFR B2

the small tree that produces almonds, which has pink or white flowers.

For teachers: a small deciduous tree of the family Rosaceae, native to southwestern Asia and widely cultivated for its seeds.

- The almond trees were the first to bloom in the garden this spring.
- Orchard owners in the valley rely heavily on honeybee populations to pollinate the almond blossoms during the brief flowering window in late winter.

### 3. a shape

noun · CEFR B2

something that has an oval shape with pointed ends, like the nut.

For teachers: an object or form characterised by an oval shape with tapered ends.

- The mirror had a beautiful almond shape that looked elegant on the wall.
- The designer preferred almond-shaped stones for the necklace, arguing that the tapered edges provided a more sophisticated silhouette than traditional round gems.

### 4. the colour

adjective · CEFR B2

having a light brown or creamy off-white colour like an almond.

For teachers: denoting a pale brownish or creamy off-white hue resembling the nut or its kernel.

- They chose an almond paint for the hallway to make it feel warm.
- The interior decorator suggested almond-coloured upholstery to complement the dark mahogany furniture without making the room feel too somber.

### 5. a tonsil

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

an old word for a tonsil in your throat.

For teachers: an archaic anatomical reference to the tonsils, so named for their resemblance to the nut's shape.

- In the old medical book, the doctor referred to the patient's swollen almonds.
- The historical text described a procedure to treat inflammation of the almonds, a term that has since been replaced by 'tonsils' in modern clinical practice.

## Examples

- She eats a handful of almonds every morning.
- The recipe calls for ground almonds to make the cake moist and rich.
- Almonds are nutritionally dense, providing significant amounts of vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy monounsaturated fats.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.