# watermelon

/ˈwɔtɝˌmɛɫən/ (US) · /wˈɔːtəmˌɛlən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the fruit

noun · CEFR A1

a large, round fruit with a hard green skin and sweet, watery red flesh inside.

For teachers: the large, globose fruit of the Citrullus lanatus plant, characterized by a thick green rind and sweet, aqueous red pulp.

- We bought a cold watermelon to share at the park on a hot day.
- The vendor sliced the watermelon into thick wedges, revealing a vibrant red interior that was perfectly ripe and remarkably sweet.

### 2. the colour

adjective · CEFR B2

having a bright, pinkish-red colour like the inside of the fruit.

For teachers: denoting a specific shade of pinkish-red, typically resembling the hue of ripe watermelon flesh.

- She wore a bright watermelon dress to the summer wedding.
- The designer selected a watermelon silk for the evening gown, noting how the warm pink tones complemented the model's complexion.

### 3. political slang

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a person who cares about the environment but also has strong socialist beliefs.

For teachers: a derogatory metaphor for an environmentalist with socialist leanings, implying they are 'green' on the outside but 'red' on the inside.

- The politician called his opponents watermelons during the heated debate.
- Critics often use the term watermelon to suggest that environmental policies are merely a vehicle for radical wealth redistribution.

### 4. project management

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · Technical

a project that looks good on the outside but has many problems hidden inside.

For teachers: a project reported as healthy (green) in status updates while actually being in a critical state (red) internally.

- The manager realized the software launch was a watermelon project only a week before the deadline.
- To avoid watermelon projects, the department implemented more rigorous auditing of individual task milestones rather than relying on high-level status reports.

## Examples

- We always eat cold watermelon at the beach.
- The children competed to see who could spit their watermelon seeds the farthest across the lawn.
- Agricultural scientists have developed seedless varieties of watermelon to satisfy consumer demand for convenience, though some traditionalists argue these lack the depth of flavor found in heirloom types.

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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.