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

Since his birthday falls in October during peak apple season, his choice was especially fitting. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Instead, there are rich notes of cinnamon, black pepper, and nutmeg balanced out by bright fruit flavors like red berries, baked apple, and Concord grapes. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 July 2026

The formidable shadow pool, cut by black liquid liner, was juxtaposed with light brown brows and bubblegum blush on the apples of her cheeks. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 24 July 2026

This cold-hardy perennial is easy to grow and comes in numerous varieties, including spearmint, peppermint, chocolate mint, apple mint, pineapple mint, and more. — Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 July 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 of one's eye
• 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