fig

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈfig 

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

• fig 1

fig

2 of 3

noun (2)

: dress, array

a young woman in dazzling royal full fig

—Mollie Panter-Downes

fig

3 of 3

abbreviation

figurative; figuratively; figure

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• damn
• lick
• whit
• hoot

Examples of fig in a Sentence

Noun (1)

they choose to live modestly and don't seem to give a fig for the trappings of success

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Java whispers through misty ancient temples like Borobudur and Prambanan, while Sumatra’s dense jungles echo with wild calls of orangutans swinging through fig trees and the rustle of monsoon rain. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Not one of the furry little animals eats a whole fig. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025

Report black fig flies to the California Department of Food and Agriculture pest hotline, 1-800-491-1899 or cdfa.ca.gov/plant/reportapest. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025

It’s all served in a bright space with barnwood planters, potted fig trees, and big windows. —Lia Picard, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025

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

Phrases Containing fig

• fig leaf
• fig wasp
• not care/give a fig
• sacred fig
• strangler fig
• weeping fig

Rhymes for fig

• big
• brig
• brigg
• dig
• gig
• jig
• mig
• pig
• prig
• rig
• sprig
• swig

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

ˈfig 

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