alligator pear

noun

plural alligator pears

dated

: avocado

In the early 1900s, avocados frequently went by the name alligator pear.

—reviewjournal.com

… limes, alligator pears, and mangoes are grown in the jungles …

—Corinne B. Feeney

Salad? Well, … lettuce, alligator pear, sliced tomatoes.

—Basil Thompson

Examples of alligator pear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once known as the alligator pear, the avocado traces its history to southern Mexico, where the fruit, according to some experts, was first cultivated about 5,000 years ago. — Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025

Once known as an alligator pear, the avocado has sailed to prominence on the Instagram feeds of wellness influencers everywhere. — thehustle.co, 5 Apr. 2024

The menu for that evening mentions venison, bacon, and filet mignon; an October 1926 luncheon reportedly contained clam broth, lobster, and alligator pear (that is, avocado) salad. — Mayukh Sen, Bon Appétit, 14 Oct. 2021

Known early on as alligator pears for their coarse texture and dark skin, avocados vary dramatically in color, texture, shape and even size, ranging from as little as a few ounces to up to four pounds per fruit. — Noelle Carter, latimes.com, 16 Mar. 2018

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from Spanish aguacate — more at avocado

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alligator pear

• extraordinaire
• multimillionaire
• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare

Kids Definition

alligator pear

noun

: avocado