coconut
- 01 A2 Elementary
a large, round fruit with a hard brown shell, white flesh, and liquid inside.
the large, fibrous-husked fruit of the coconut palm, containing a hard-shelled seed with edible white endosperm and clear liquid.
Simple“He used a heavy knife to crack open the coconut and drink the water inside.”
In context“The chef demonstrated how to extract the milk from a fresh coconut by grating the white flesh and pressing it through a fine cloth.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
the tall tropical palm tree that produces coconuts.
the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), a tall, branchless tropical tree with a crown of large pinnate leaves.
Simple“The beach was lined with tall coconuts that provided some shade from the sun.”
In context“The plantation consisted of thousands of coconuts, each carefully spaced to ensure maximum yield during the harvest season.”
Synonymscoconut palm - 03 C1 Advanced
a person's head.
the human head, often used in the context of being hit or struck.
Simple“Watch out for that low beam or you will hit your coconut.”
In context“The comedian made a joke about falling over and nearly cracking his coconut on the pavement.”
Synonymsheadnoggin - 04 C2 Proficiency
an insulting word for a person of color who is accused of acting like a white person.
a derogatory ethnic slur directed at a person of color perceived as having assimilated into white culture, implying they are 'brown on the outside, white on the inside'.
Simple“The politician was hurt when protesters called him a coconut during the rally.”
In context“The use of the term 'coconut' in the debate was widely condemned as a racist attack on the candidate's cultural identity.”
UsageThis term is highly offensive and should be avoided.
Teacher's tipThis sense is extremely derogatory; learners should be aware of its offensive nature to avoid using it accidentally.
From coco + nut. In reference to assimilated Hispanic or black people, derived from the fruit's exotic origins. The slur originates from the idea that one is "brown on the outside, white on the inside". In reference to Polynesians, from the ubiquity of coconut palms in the area.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.