fig

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
a
: an oblong or pear-shaped syconium fruit of a tree (genus Ficus) of the mulberry family
b
: a tree bearing figs : a ficus tree
especially : a widely cultivated tree (F. carica) that produces edible figs see also strangler fig, weeping fig compare banyan, peepul, rubber plant
2
: a worthless trifle : the least bit
doesn't care a fig

Illustration of fig

Illustration of fig
  • fig 1

fig

2 of 3

noun (2)

: dress, array
a young woman in dazzling royal full figMollie Panter-Downes

fig

3 of 3

abbreviation

figurative; figuratively; figure

Examples of fig in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
On top is a dollop of sweet fig jam and shavings of Manuel Lombardi Conciato Romano, or what many refer to as the oldest variety of cheese in the world. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024 Crème de brie, prosciutto, carrot sticks, grapes, olives, and fig jam with woven wheat crackers. Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 22 Mar. 2024 With the most recent Costco stock lists including towering topical varieties such as Majesty Palm and White Bird of Paradise at 6-8 feet and only $27.99, there have also been reports of fiddle leaf figs ranging from $15-$50. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024 There is a soft floral note on the palate mingling with flavors of black cherry, Mission fig, brown baking spices, and milk chocolate. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 For reasons that are not fully understood, several hundred parrots seek evening accommodations each night in the limbs of fig and London plane trees lining a bustling stretch of Rosemead Boulevard in Temple City. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Giant hornets, Burmese pythons and, perhaps less obviously, fig buttercups all pose threats to North American ecosystems. Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024 After the tour, don’t miss spending time in their shop with many products handmade by the nuns, including beeswax ointment with olive oil, pear and fig marmalades, and lemon or orange liqueurs. Jeanine Barone, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 There are notes of sour cherry, chocolate-orange, blueberry compote, raspberry, and lemon curd on the palate, followed by flavors like espresso, apple cider, fig, raisin, and apricot. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fig.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English fige, from Anglo-French, from Old Occitan figa, from Vulgar Latin *fica, from Latin ficus fig tree, fig

Noun (2)

fig, verb, to adorn

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fig was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near fig

Cite this Entry

“Fig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fig. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fig

noun
ˈfig
: an oblong or pear-shaped fruit that grows on a tree related to the mulberries
also : a tree bearing figs

Medical Definition

fig

1 of 2 noun
1
: an oblong or pear-shaped fruit that is a syconium
especially : the edible fruit of a widely cultivated tree (Ficus carica) that has laxative qualities
2
: any of a genus (Ficus) of trees of the mulberry family that produce figs

fig

2 of 2 abbreviation
figure

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