# grapefruit

/ˈɡɹeɪpˌfɹut/ (US) · /ɡɹˈeɪpfɹuːt/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grapefruit
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a large, round fruit that is similar to an orange but has a sour and slightly bitter taste. It usually has yellow skin and the inside can be yellow, pink, or red.

For teachers: a large, globose citrus fruit with a bitter, acidic flavour profile. Refers to the fruit of the tree Citrus × paradisi, which is a hybrid of the pomelo and the sweet orange.

## Examples

- I usually eat half a grapefruit for breakfast.
- The chef added segments of pink grapefruit to the salad to balance the richness of the avocado.
- While grapefruit is a popular source of vitamin C, certain compounds within the fruit can interfere with the metabolism of specific medications by inhibiting intestinal enzymes.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the fruit as a food category or flavour; countable when referring to the individual fruits.

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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.