# lemon

/ˈɫɛmən/ (US) · /lˈɛmən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the fruit

noun · CEFR A2

a yellow citrus fruit with a sour taste.

For teachers: the oval, yellow fruit of the Citrus limon tree, known for its high citric acid content and acidic juice.

- She squeezed a fresh lemon over the grilled fish to add some flavour.
- The recipe calls for the zest of one organic lemon to provide a bright, acidic contrast to the richness of the cream sauce.

### 2. defective item

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

something you buy that does not work well or is broken.

For teachers: a product, particularly a vehicle, that is found to be defective or unsatisfactory after purchase.

- The used car I bought turned out to be a total lemon.
- After the third breakdown in as many weeks, he realised the dealership had sold him a lemon and began researching consumer protection laws.

Usage: Often used in the context of buying a used car.

### 3. colour

adjective · CEFR B1

having a pale, bright yellow colour.

For teachers: of a pale, vibrant yellow hue resembling the skin of a lemon.

- The walls were painted a soft lemon yellow to make the room feel brighter.
- She chose a lemon-coloured silk for the bridesmaids' dresses, which complemented the spring garden setting perfectly.

### 4. to add flavour

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to add lemon juice or zest to food or drink.

For teachers: to season, flavour, or treat a substance with lemon juice or peel.

- The chef decided to lemon the chicken before roasting it.
- The pastry was lightly lemoned to cut through the sweetness of the meringue topping.

## Examples

- I always put a slice of lemon in my tea.
- The used car I bought turned out to be a total lemon, breaking down just three days after I took it home.
- While the chef used lemon zest to brighten the heavy cream sauce, the restaurant's aging refrigerator proved to be a lemon and failed during the dinner rush.

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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.