# plantain

/ˈpɫæntən/ (US) · /plˈɑːnteɪn/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/plantain
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

a big fruit that looks like a banana but is less sweet. You usually cook it by frying, boiling, or baking before you eat it.

For teachers: a large starchy fruit closely related to the banana, typically cooked by frying, boiling, or baking before eating. Green when unripe and turning yellow-black as sugars develop.

## Examples

- She fries sliced plantain for dinner.
- He buys ripe plantain at the market and fries it with rice and beans.
- In many tropical kitchens, caramelized plantain balances spicy stews with its gentle sweetness and soft texture.

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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.