What is lemon? Pronunciation and usage in English

lemon means . Learn how to pronounce and use lemon through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of lemon

lemonnoun

/ˈlɛmən/
Definition & pronunciation of lemon

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "lemon" in English. It's a tricky one for some! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈleɪmən/ (rhymes with "pain")

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈleɪ - This is the stressed syllable. The "a" sound is like the "a" in "say."
  • mən - This syllable is softer and uses a short "u" sound, similar to "sun."

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the sounds:

  1. Initial "le": Pronounce it like "lay" - as in "lay down."
  2. "mon":
    • The "m" is a regular "m" sound.
    • The "on" part is where it gets tricky. Many people make it sound almost like "uhn," but it's closer to a short "u" sound. Think of the "u" in "sun" or "fun." It's a quick, subtle sound.

Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't over-emphasize the "o": The "o" is not said as a long "o" like in "go." It's a much shorter vowel sound.
  • Don't say "limon": This is a very common mistake!

Resources for hearing the pronunciation:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
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Usage and examples with the word lemon in English

Let's break down how to use the word "lemon" in English. It has a few distinct meanings, and understanding the context is key!

1. The Fruit (Most Common Meaning)

  • Definition: A yellow citrus fruit with a sour taste.
  • Usage: This is the most straightforward. You'd use it in descriptions of food, recipes, or general conversation about fruit.
    • "I made lemonade with fresh lemons."
    • "We sliced the lemon and added it to the salad."
    • "The lemon scent filled the kitchen."

2. A Bad or Defective Product (Slang/Idiomatic)

  • Definition: A product (usually an expensive one) that is faulty, doesn't work properly, or has significant problems right out of the box. It's often used when something is essentially useless.
  • Origin: The term comes from the idea that a "lemon" is sour – much like a spoiled lemon.
  • Usage: This is where it gets more colorful!
    • "I bought a new laptop, and it was a complete lemon. The screen flickered constantly."
    • "That car was a lemon; it broke down twice in the first week."
    • "Don't buy that phone – everyone says it's a lemon."
  • Synonyms: Rip-off, dud, piece of junk, write-off.

3. "To Lemon" (Verb - Primarily in the second meaning)

  • Definition: To reject or refuse something (usually a product) because it's of poor quality.
  • Usage:
    • "He lemoned the car back to the dealer." (He returned it and demanded a refund)
    • "I was going to buy that dress, but it turned out to be a lemon, so I lemoned it."

4. (Less Common) "Lemon" as a Color

  • Definition: A pale, yellowish-green color, like the color of a lemon peel.
  • Usage: Primarily used in art, design, or describing something's appearance.
    • "The curtains were a light lemon color."

Here's a table to summarize:

Meaning Definition Example
Fruit Yellow citrus fruit "I love the tartness of a lemon."
Bad Product Faulty, defective product "That television was a real lemon."
"To Lemon" To reject/refuse a product "I lemoned the appliance because it broke."
Color Pale yellowish-green "She wore a lemon yellow shirt."

Tips for Using "Lemon" Correctly:

  • Context is crucial: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Slang Awareness: Be aware that “lemon” as a bad product is informal slang. It’s generally best to avoid it in formal writing.
  • Tone: When using the “bad product” meaning, the tone can be a bit frustrated or disappointed.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use “lemon” in a specific context (e.g., business, customer service)?
  • Explain the history of the “lemon” slang term?
  • Help you write a sentence using “lemon” in a particular way?

Synonyms for the word lemon

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