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 of fig

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

Potting And Repotting Fiddle Leaf Fig A young fiddle leaf fig needs repotting every year. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025

Pomegranates and figs fruit at the end of branches. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025

Paris Baguette Items for sale: Cookie butter New York-style cheesecake; fig jam and cream layer cake; caramel pecan chocolate mousse cake; a variety of cake slices and pastries. —Hadley Hitson, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Nov. 2025

The Fern Grove collection will elevate your scentscape with a calming blend of fern, oakmoss, fig, watercress, cedar, vetiver, and sandalwood. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 10 Nov. 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