Word
marmalade
Phoneticsmar·malade
US/ˈmɑɹməˌɫeɪd/
UK/mˈɑːmɐlˌeɪd/
Definitions
01citrus preserve
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Cooking
n. a type of jam made from citrus fruit, like oranges, that includes pieces of the fruit skin and has a slightly bitter taste.
n. a preserve made by boiling the pulp and rind of citrus fruits with sugar. It is distinguished from standard jam by its characteristic bitterness and the inclusion of fruit peel.
Español:mermelada
“He spread some orange marmalade on his toast for breakfast.”
“The traditional recipe calls for Seville oranges, which provide the sharp acidity and bitterness essential for a high-quality marmalade.”
02orange-coloured cat
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. a cat that has orange or ginger-coloured fur.
n. a descriptive term for a domestic cat possessing ginger or orange-toned fur.
“A large marmalade cat was sleeping in the sunny spot on the rug.”
“The stray was a friendly marmalade tomcat that had become a permanent fixture in the neighbourhood's communal garden.”
03to spread with marmalade
C2 · Proficiency Cooking Informal
v. to put marmalade on a piece of bread or toast.
v. to apply marmalade to a food item. Transitive — requires a direct object.
“She quickly marmaladed her toast before rushing out the door.”
“He sat at the breakfast table, methodically marmalading each slice of sourdough while reading the morning headlines.”
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French marmelade, from Portuguese marmelada (“quince jam”), from marmelo (“quince”), from Latin melimēlum (“sweet apple”), from Ancient Greek μελίμηλον (melímēlon), from μέλι (méli, “honey”) + μῆλον (mêlon, “apple”). A false folk etymology claims that this comes from the French phrase “Marie est malade” (“Mary is ill”), referring to Mary, Queen of Scots, falling ill and being given marmalade to feel better.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/marmalade
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0