fig

1 of 3

noun (1)

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

Illustration of fig
  • fig 1

fig

2 of 3

noun (2)

: dress, array
a young woman in dazzling royal full figMollie Panter-Downes

fig

3 of 3

abbreviation

figurative; figuratively; figure

Examples of fig in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
For reasons that are not fully understood, several hundred parrots seek evening accommodations each night in the limbs of fig and London plane trees lining a bustling stretch of Rosemead Boulevard in Temple City. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Giant hornets, Burmese pythons and, perhaps less obviously, fig buttercups all pose threats to North American ecosystems. Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024 After the tour, don’t miss spending time in their shop with many products handmade by the nuns, including beeswax ointment with olive oil, pear and fig marmalades, and lemon or orange liqueurs. Jeanine Barone, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 There are notes of sour cherry, chocolate-orange, blueberry compote, raspberry, and lemon curd on the palate, followed by flavors like espresso, apple cider, fig, raisin, and apricot. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Feb. 2024 The Barbados cherry in the product's name, plus ginkgo biloba, quince, fig, and green tea, are all sources of antioxidants like vitamin C, which help protect skin cells. Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 13 Feb. 2024 Its menu features charcuterie boards, caviar, empanadas and bread with iberico ham, manchego cheese and fig jam. Abigail Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2024 The Moreton Bay fig tree is located within the circular driveway outside the main door of the hotel. Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024 Guests gather under the pergola in the garden for a breakfast of fresh figs and goat’s cheese. Rachel Howard, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fig.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fig was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near fig

Cite this Entry

“Fig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fig. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on fig

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!