orange

1 of 3

noun

or·​ange ˈär-inj 

ˈär(-ə)nj;

chiefly Northern & Midland

ˈȯr-inj 

ˈȯr(-ə)nj

1

a

: a globose berry with a yellowish to reddish-orange rind and a sweet edible pulp

He peeled an orange.

b

: any of various small evergreen citrus trees (genus Citrus) with glossy ovate leaves, hard yellow wood, fragrant white flowers, and fruits that are oranges

2

: any of several trees or fruits resembling the orange

3

: any of a group of colors that are between red and yellow in hue

Orange is about midway between red and yellow in hue.

orange

2 of 3

adjective (1)

1

: of or relating to the orange

2

: of the color orange

Orange

3 of 3

adjective (2)

: of, relating to, or sympathizing with Orangemen

Orangeism

ˈär-in-ˌji-zəm, 

ˈär(ə-)n-, 

ˈȯr-in- 

ˈȯr(ə-)n-

noun

Examples of orange in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Now Alicia, a New York dame, drifted over to the orange jackets. — Anand Giridharadas, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

The Sun, who now begin the process of relocating to Houston for next season, gave their loyal, vociferous and orange-clad fans a goodbye present, a 95-81 victory over the Toronto Tempo, just a little something to remember them by. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Wash it all down with a couple of Wet Martinis, one of the prepared vermouths that packs a punch thanks to the sharp splash of orange bitters. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

Cater said color has become a signature of the brand, with orange, pinks and yellows among the standouts. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French orrange, araunge, from Old Occitan auranja, from Arabic nāranj, from Persian nārang, from Sanskrit nāraṅga orange tree

First Known Use

Noun

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective (1)

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1795, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing orange

• acridine orange
• bitter orange
• blaze orange
• blood orange
• mandarin orange
• methyl orange
• mock orange
• navel orange
• orange chromide
• orange hawkweed
• orange juice
• orange peel
• orange pekoe
• orange roughy
• orange wine
• Osage orange
• sour orange
• sweet orange
• trifoliate orange
• Valencia orange

Kids Definition

orange

1 of 2 noun

or·​ange ˈär-inj  ˈȯr- 

-ənj

1

a

: a round usually sweet juicy fruit with a yellowish to reddish orange rind

b

: any of various small evergreen citrus trees having shiny leaves, fragrant white flowers, and fruits which are oranges

2

: a color between red and yellow

orange

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to the orange

2

: of the color orange

Medical Definition

orange

noun

or·​ange ˈär-inj  ˈȯr- 

1

a

: a globose berry with a yellowish to reddish orange rind and a sweet edible pulp

b

: any of various rather small evergreen trees (genus Citrus) with ovate leaves, hard yellow wood, fragrant white flowers, and fruits that are oranges

2

often capitalized : agent orange

Geographical Definition

Orange 1 of 2

geographical name (1)

Or·​ange ˈär-inj 

ˈär(-ə)nj, 

ˈȯr-inj 

ˈȯr(-ə)nj

1

city in southwestern California north of Santa Ana

2

river 1300 miles (2092 kilometers) long in southern Africa flowing from the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho west into the Atlantic Ocean

Orange

2 of 2

geographical name (2)

ȯ-ˈräⁿzh 

city in southeastern France north of Avignon