ENGLISH
REFERENCE

plum

n. · adj. · adv.
US //ˈpɫəm// UK //plˈʌm// plum
  1. 1 the fruit (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a round, sweet fruit with smooth skin and a hard seed in the middle.

    the edible drupaceous fruit of various trees in the genus Prunus, typically having a smooth skin and a single hard stone.

    Example

    She picked a ripe plum from the tree and ate it immediately.

    Example

    The orchard was heavy with fruit, the branches of the plum trees sagging under the weight of the ripening harvest.

  2. 2 something desirable (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    something very good that people want, like a great job or a prize.

    a highly desirable position, prize, or opportunity, often obtained through luck or influence.

    Example

    He landed a plum job at the new tech company in the city.

    Example

    The senior partner secured a plum assignment in the Paris office, much to the envy of his younger colleagues.

    Teacher's tip

    Often used as a noun adjunct or adjective to describe jobs or roles.
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  1. 3 testicles (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang Vulgar British English

    a slang word for a man's testicles.

    a slang term for the testicles, usually used in the plural.

    Example

    The player was doubled over after the ball hit him right in the plums.

    Example

    The comedian's routine relied heavily on crude references to his plums, which divided the audience's reaction.
  2. 4 the colour (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having a dark reddish-purple colour.

    of a dark, brownish-purple or reddish-purple colour resembling the skin of the fruit.

    Example

    She wore a beautiful plum dress to the wedding.

    Example

    The interior designer suggested plum velvet curtains to add a sense of warmth and luxury to the master bedroom.
  3. 5 completely (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Informal American English Dialect

    completely or totally.

    used as an intensifier meaning completely, utterly, or directly.

    Example

    I was plum tired after walking all day in the sun.

    Example

    By the time they reached the summit, the hikers were plum exhausted and ready to set up camp for the night.

    Usage

    Often used before adjectives like 'tired', 'crazy', or 'forgot'.
Etymology 1

From Middle English plomme, ploume, from Old English plūme, from Proto-West Germanic *plūmā, borrowed from Latin prūnum. Doublet of prune.

Etymology 2

Phonetically based spelling of plumb.

Idioms1 entry

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