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

There are plenty of promises on HairTok, but vetted hairstylists, trichologists, and dermatologists also stand behind the potential benefits of adding apple cider vinegar (ACV) to your routine. — Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 9 Aug. 2026

My appetizer at meals is a briny mix of one part apple-cider vinegar to seven parts water, intended to aid digestion. — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2026

In addition to balancing your blood sugar, snacking on apples with nut butter reduces hunger, too. — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 8 Aug. 2026

Set Sticky Traps If drying the soil and using apple cider vinegar don’t work, consider using sticky traps like BioCare Gnat Stix. — Leah Chester-Davis, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 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