apple

noun

ap·​ple ˈa-pəl 

often attributive

1

: the fleshy, usually rounded red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a usually cultivated tree (genus Malus) of the rose family

also : an apple tree compare crab apple

2

: a fruit (such as a star apple) or other vegetative growth (such as an oak apple) suggestive of an apple

see also:

apple of one's eye

Examples of apple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Upgrade traditional chicken salad with crunchy add-ins like pecans, Granny Smith apples, celery, and red onion. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026

Soaking the hair in apple cider vinegar is a common at-home remedy that may help reduce irritation with mixed results. —Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026

There would be another bite at the apple but not a fourth, the judge overseeing the case warned. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026

Now, the ovens are hot, the apple turnovers are baking, and Chatellier is preparing the final round of delicacies for his customers, which also includes everything from croissants, danishes, and cakes. —John Shumway, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English appel, from Old English æppel; akin to Old High German apful apple, Old Irish ubull, Old Church Slavic ablŭko

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing apple

• Adam's apple
• apple butter
• apple-cheeked
• apple-knocker
• apple maggot
• apple-pie
• apple-polish
• apple scab
• (as) American as apple pie
• bad apple
• candy apple
• cedar-apple rust
• crab apple
• custard apple
• in apple-pie order
• lady apple
• love apple
• oak apple
• star apple
• sugar apple
• the apple of someone's eye
• thorn apple
• upset the apple cart

Rhymes for apple

• appal
• chapel
• dapple
• grapple
• pineapple

Kids Definition

apple

noun

ap·​ple ˈap-əl 

: a rounded fruit with a red, yellow, or green skin, firm white flesh and a seedy core

also : the tree of the rose family that bears this fruit

Medical Definition

apple

noun

ap·​ple ˈap-əl 

: the fleshy usually rounded and red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a tree (genus Malus) of the rose family

also : an apple tree