lichee

1 of 2

noun (1)

li·​chee

less common spelling of lychee

1

or lychee nut or litchi nut or less commonly lichee nut : the small, oval to roundish fruit of a Chinese tree (Litchi chinensis) of the soapberry family having a rough or warty, yellow, pink, or reddish leathery rind and sweet to slightly acidic usually whitish edible flesh that surrounds a single large seed

Note: The lychee, grown commercially in tropical and subtropical regions, is a type of fruit called a drupe, and its edible flesh is the fruit's aril.

2

: a slow-growing tree that bears lychees and has glossy, leathery leaves and terminal clusters of tiny, apetalous, greenish-white to yellow flowers

lychee

2 of 2

noun (2)

ly·​chee ˈlē-(ˌ)chē  ˈlī- 

variants or litchi or less commonly lichee

1

or lychee nut or litchi nut or less commonly lichee nut : the small, oval to roundish fruit of a Chinese tree (Litchi chinensis) of the soapberry family having a rough or warty, yellow, pink, or reddish leathery rind and sweet to slightly acidic usually whitish edible flesh that surrounds a single large seed

Note: The lychee, grown commercially in tropical and subtropical regions, is a type of fruit called a drupe, and its edible flesh is the fruit's aril.

2

: a slow-growing tree that bears lychees and has glossy, leathery leaves and terminal clusters of tiny, apetalous, greenish-white to yellow flowers

Examples of lichee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Encased in a sophisticated bottle that calls to mind Tommy Hilfiger fashion, this new scent features a juicy top note of sparkling lychee before settling into a warmer depth of magnolia blossom and a base of vanilla blue. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

My Lychee Tax – a deliciously fruity blend of strawberry rum and lychee purée – slipped down quickly. — Vicki Power, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026

One of five new Loewe perfumes landing in September, Field Diary taps citrusy notes such as green mandarin and blood orange, paired with lychee, orange blossom and musk. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

And the flavors are fun and unexpected, from a subtle yet present lychee to tart cherry stars that actually taste like cherry. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Chinese (Beijing) lìzhī

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lichee

• bitchy
• itchy
• pitchy

Kids Definition

lichee

variant of lychee