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

The Franco-Asian dialogue continues at the bar, with signature offerings including Tokyo Garden (made with Tanqueray 10 gin, shiso, sake, lychee, and yuzu). — Nick Scott, Robb Report, 11 July 2026

At Sunda New Asian, Vanilla Ice Cream & Turon Spring Roll served with premium kaluga caviar, ube rice crispy, lychee, cookie flakes, seasonal fruit, passion fruit coulis, and ube glaze. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Large cans of jalapeños and taco sauce, tins of jumbo squid, sacks filled with varying flour types, jars of grape leaves, curry paste, pickled ginger, Japanese mayo, lychee in syrup, Mediterranean chocolate candies and a wide variety of ramen noodle packets were among the items on the shelves. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026

The juice of the lychee fruit has been turned into an effervescent beverage and conveniently packaged in a can. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 June 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