plum

noun

ˈpləm 

often attributive

1

: any of various trees and shrubs (genus Prunus) of the rose family with globular to oval smooth-skinned edible fruits that are drupes with oblong seeds

also : the fruit

2

: any of various trees with edible fruits resembling plums

also : the fruit

3

a

: a raisin when used in desserts

b

: sugarplum

4

: something superior or very desirable

especially : something desirable given in return for a favor

5

: a dark reddish purple

plumlike

ˈpləm-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• prize
• gem
• jewel
• treasure
• pearl

Examples of plum in a Sentence

a bowl of peaches and plums

Dried plums are also called “prunes.”

That deal is a real plum for the contractor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Touted as the younger sibling to Grey Ghost, Little Ghost is a can’t-miss brick building in shades of magenta, plum and red, according to a news release. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 6 Aug. 2025

The wine is vibrant and aromatic, featuring notes of raspberry, plum, and hibiscus flowers. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025

Peaches, plums, figs, grapes, dewberries, hardy ever-bearing strawberries, ornamental shrub evergreens, Russian violets, palms, lilies, etc. —Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 29 July 2025

Laced with notes of tobacco leaf, plum, cedarwood, and tonka bean, this is the kind of vanilla that’s best for a chic, candlelit dinner, rather than a spin through the cupcake shop. —Jenny Berg, Allure, 27 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English plūme, modification of Latin prunum plum, from Greek proumnon

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plum

• beach plum
• Japanese plum
• plum pudding
• plum tomato

Rhymes for plum

• bum
• chum
• come
• crum
• cum
• drum
• dum
• dumb
• from
• frum
• glum
• gum

Kids Definition

plum

noun

ˈpləm 

1

a

: any of numerous trees and shrubs related to the peach and cherries and having globe-shaped to oval edible fruits with an oblong stone

b

: the smooth-skinned fruit of a plum

2

: a raisin when used in desserts (as puddings or cake)

3

: something very desirable

4

: a dark reddish purple

plumlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

Geographical Definition

Plum

geographical name

ˈpləm 

borough in southwestern Pennsylvania that is a suburb of Pittsburgh population 27,126