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 of plum

• 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

Farmers gathered walnuts into leather pouches beside hedgerows laden with berries, pears, plums, and Cornelian cherries. —Marlise Kast-Myers, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026

Grab a coffee and visit ponies, donkeys, sheep, pigs, geese, goats, and chickens, or head to the garden to wander around the apple, pear, and plum trees in the orchard. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026

Instead of a simple white arc, this spring brings a rise of jet-black, burgundy, navy blue, and plum purple tips on top of glossy nude bases. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Apr. 2026

It’s also found in the pits of stone fruits like peaches, apricots, plums, and other members of the almond’s extended family, the genus Prunus. —Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026

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