lemon
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a yellow citrus fruit with a sour taste.
n.the oval, yellow fruit of the Citrus limon tree, known for its high citric acid content and acidic juice.
Simple“She squeezed a fresh lemon over the grilled fish to add some flavour.”
In context“The recipe calls for the zest of one organic lemon to provide a bright, acidic contrast to the richness of the cream sauce.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.something you buy that does not work well or is broken.
n.a product, particularly a vehicle, that is found to be defective or unsatisfactory after purchase.
Simple“The used car I bought turned out to be a total lemon.”
In context“After the third breakdown in as many weeks, he realised the dealership had sold him a lemon and began researching consumer protection laws.”
UsageOften used in the context of buying a used car.
- 03 B1 Intermediate
adj.having a pale, bright yellow colour.
adj.of a pale, vibrant yellow hue resembling the skin of a lemon.
Simple“The walls were painted a soft lemon yellow to make the room feel brighter.”
In context“She chose a lemon-coloured silk for the bridesmaids' dresses, which complemented the spring garden setting perfectly.”
Synonymsyellowpale yellow - 04 C1 Advanced
v.to add lemon juice or zest to food or drink.
v.to season, flavour, or treat a substance with lemon juice or peel.
Simple“The chef decided to lemon the chicken before roasting it.”
In context“The pastry was lightly lemoned to cut through the sweetness of the meringue topping.”