plum

noun

ˈpləm 

often attributive

1

: any of various trees and shrubs (genus Prunus) of the rose family with globular to oval smooth-skinned edible fruits that are drupes with oblong seeds

also : the fruit

2

: any of various trees with edible fruits resembling plums

also : the fruit

3

a

: a raisin when used in desserts

b

: sugarplum

4

: something superior or very desirable

especially : something desirable given in return for a favor

5

: a dark reddish purple

plumlike

ˈpləm-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms of plum

• prize
• gem
• jewel
• treasure
• pearl

Examples of plum in a Sentence

a bowl of peaches and plums

Dried plums are also called “prunes.”

That deal is a real plum for the contractor.

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s also a wide color selection, which includes the dusky pink and plum Disco Dust and the pink, cool purple, and dirty red Electric Cherry. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2025

The property’s gardens are special—a lush tapestry that includes a chicken coop, bee box, plum and apricot trees, cherries, grapevines and blackberries. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 11 Dec. 2025

The design references both cultures with steely grays and blues for Chicago’s architecture and lake, and noble flowers such as plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, which show up in the form of art walls and custom cabinetry, as well as decorative accents in the bi-level spa. —Amy Tara Koch, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2025

Almost Famous' tropical holiday lineup includes cocktails like a Sugar Plum Mai Tai (rum, lime orgeat, cinnamon syrup and plum wine) and the titular Sippin' Santa (aged demerara rum, Amaro, lemon, orange, nutmeg and ginger). —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English plūme, modification of Latin prunum plum, from Greek proumnon

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing plum

• beach plum
• Japanese plum
• plum pudding
• plum tomato

Rhymes for plum

• bum
• chum
• come
• crum
• cum
• drum
• dum
• dumb
• from
• frum
• glum
• gum

Kids Definition

plum

noun

ˈpləm 

1

a

: any of numerous trees and shrubs related to the peach and cherries and having globe-shaped to oval edible fruits with an oblong stone

b

: the smooth-skinned fruit of a plum

2

: a raisin when used in desserts (as puddings or cake)

3

: something very desirable

4

: a dark reddish purple

plumlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

Geographical Definition

Plum

geographical name

ˈpləm 

borough in southwestern Pennsylvania that is a suburb of Pittsburgh population 27,126