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

Using sculpting gel, nail artists are creating 3D blooms—go-to shades include baby pink, plum, and vermillion—that rise off the nail, with petals so defined they almost look freshly plucked. —Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 27 Apr. 2026

Duffy joined 20 other Orland Grassland volunteers Saturday to plant native shrubs such as American plum, hazelnut and nannyberry viburnum to eventually help buffer some of the noise and pollution from the LaGrange Road traffic. —Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

After snapping their 12-game losing streak last week, the Mets had a plum opportunity over the weekend to get right against a Rockies team that finished last year at 43-119 — tied for the third-most losses in MLB single-season history. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026

The Spice Zee nectaplum cultivar bears uncannily sweet and tangy fruit with white pulp, more nectarine than plum in flavor. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 25 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