lemon
noun
lem·on
\ˈle-mən\
: a yellow citrus fruit that has a sour taste
: a bright yellow color
: a product that is not made well : a product that does not work the way it should
Full Definition
1a : an acid fruit that is botanically a many-seeded pale yellow oblong berry produced by a small thorny citrus tree (Citrus limon) and that has a rind from which an aromatic oil is extracted
b : a tree that bears lemons
2: something (such as an automobile) that is unsatisfactory or defective
Examples
The recipe calls for the juice of two lemons.
Garnish it with a slice of lemon.
Our new car is a lemon.
Origin
Middle English lymon, from Middle French limon, from Medieval Latin limon-, limo, from Arabic laymūn, līmūn, from Persian līmū, līmun.
First known use: 15th century
Synonyms: bomb, bummer, bust, catastrophe, clinker, clunker, debacle (also débâcle), disaster, dud, fiasco, fizzle, flop, frost, failure, loser, miss, shipwreck, turkey, washout
Antonyms: blockbuster, hit, smash, success, winner
lemon
adjective
1: of the color lemon yellow
2a : containing lemon
b : having the flavor or scent of lemon
First known use: 1598