apricot

noun

apri·​cot ˈa-prə-ˌkät  ˈā- 

often attributive

1

a

: the oval orange-colored fruit of a temperate-zone tree (Prunus armeniaca) resembling the related peach and plum in flavor

b

: a tree that bears apricots

2

: a variable color averaging a moderate orange

Examples of apricot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Peaches can be replaced with nectarines, apricots or plums. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

The same apricot that perks you up at 10 am might do the opposite later in the day. —Faye Remedios, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2025

Co-authored by Tamara Jo Hicks and Jessica Lynn MacLeod, the cookbook serves up over 60 seasonal farm-to-table recipes, including this summer fruit salad featuring nectarines, apricots, prosciutto, croutons, cheese and fresh herbs and flowers. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 25 July 2025

Meet toasted coconut brunette, an equally summery color that doesn’t involve red dye or references to apricots, peaches, or any other stone fruit. —Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 9 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier abrecock, ultimately from Arabic al-birqūq the apricot, ultimately from Latin (persicum) praecox, literally, early ripening (peach) — more at precocious

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for apricot

• aeronaut
• aforethought
• afterthought
• argonaut
• astronaut
• camelot
• coffeepot
• concordat
• cosmonaut
• entrepot
• flowerpot
• huguenot

Kids Definition

apricot

noun

apri·​cot ˈap-rə-ˌkät  ˈā-prə- 

: an oval orange-colored fruit resembling the related peach and plum in flavor

also : a tree that bears apricots