# pistachio

/pəˈstæʃiˌoʊ/ (US) · /pɪstˈæʃɪˌəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pistachio
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the edible nut

noun · CEFR B2

a small, green nut that grows in a hard, cream-coloured shell.

For teachers: the edible, nutlike seed of the Pistacia vera tree, typically encased in a hard, naturally opening shell.

- She bought a bag of roasted pistachios to snack on during the movie.
- The chef garnished the dessert with crushed pistachios to provide a contrasting texture and a subtle, nutty flavour profile.

### 2. the tree

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the type of tree that produces pistachio nuts.

For teachers: a small deciduous tree of the cashew family, native to Central Asia and the Middle East.

- Pistachio trees grow best in hot, dry climates with cool winters.
- Agricultural researchers are studying how different pistachio cultivars respond to prolonged periods of drought in arid regions.

### 3. the colour

adjective · CEFR B2

having a pale, light green colour.

For teachers: denoting a specific pale or yellowish-green hue resembling the colour of the pistachio seed.

- They decided to paint the guest bedroom a soft pistachio green.
- The vintage car was finished in a striking pistachio shade that stood out among the more conventional modern vehicles.

## Examples

- I love the crunch of pistachios in my salad.
- The chef sprinkled finely chopped pistachios over the chocolate cake to add a fresh, nutty flavor.
- While the pistachio is native to Central Asia, it has become a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, frequently appearing in both savory dishes and elaborate confections like baklava.

---

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.