# apricot

/ˈeɪpɹəˌkɑt/ (US) · /ˈeɪpɹɪkˌɒt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/apricot
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the fruit

noun · CEFR B1

a small, round, orange fruit with a large seed inside and soft skin.

For teachers: the edible, drupaceous fruit of the tree Prunus armeniaca, characterized by its velvety skin and sweet, slightly tart flesh.

- She bought a bag of fresh apricots to make a summer tart.
- The recipe calls for dried apricots to be soaked in brandy overnight before being added to the festive fruitcake mixture.

### 2. the colour

noun · CEFR B2

a pale yellowish-orange colour.

For teachers: a light to moderate yellowish-orange hue resembling the skin of the ripened fruit.

- The walls of the nursery were painted a soft apricot.
- The sunset bathed the horizon in shades of apricot and lavender, creating a striking contrast against the darkening sea.

### 3. colour description

adjective · CEFR B2

having a pale orange-yellow colour.

For teachers: possessing the specific pale yellowish-orange colour of the fruit.

- He wore an apricot shirt that matched his summer tan.
- The interior designer suggested apricot curtains to complement the warm oak flooring in the living room.

### 4. the tree

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the tree that produces apricots.

For teachers: the deciduous tree Prunus armeniaca, widely cultivated in temperate regions for its fruit.

- The apricot in the backyard finally started blooming in early spring.
- Commercial apricot orchards require specific chilling hours during winter to ensure a productive harvest the following season.

### 5. slang for testicle

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · British English · Dialect

a slang word for a testicle.

For teachers: a slang term for a testicle, typically used in the plural.

- He got hit right in the apricots during the football match.
- The comedian made a crude joke about a painful injury to his apricots, which drew a mixed reaction from the crowd.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly informal and potentially vulgar; it is primarily found in British or Australian English and should be avoided in professional contexts.

## Examples

- I bought a fresh apricot at the market.
- The recipe calls for dried apricots to add a natural sweetness to the cake without using sugar.
- While the apricot is often overshadowed by its more famous cousin, the peach, it remains a staple in many traditional cuisines for its unique balance of acidity and sweetness.

---

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.