apples

1nounthe fruit

An apple is a round fruit with a smooth skin that can be red, green, or yellow. The inside is crisp and sweet or slightly sour. When you talk about more than one, you say 'apples.' This is by far the most common meaning of the word.

everyday language, food · Modern, widely used

She bought a bag of apples from the market.

The children picked apples from the trees in the orchard.

He sliced the apples and added them to the salad.

2nounthe tree

The word 'apples' can also refer informally to apple trees themselves, especially when people are talking about growing or farming them. You might hear a farmer say 'I grow apples' meaning they grow apple trees.

farming, gardening · Modern, widely used

They planted apples along the south side of the farm.

You will often hear the phrase 'apples and oranges' in English. It means two things are so different from each other that comparing them is not fair or useful. Think of it this way — an apple and an orange are both fruits, but they are completely different in taste, texture, and appearance.

everyday language · Modern, widely used · figurative

You can't judge the two candidates the same way; it's apples and oranges.

Their teaching styles are apples and oranges, so it's hard to say which is better.

4nounfigurativesymbol of health (an apple a day)

culture, health · Traditional, still widely known · figurative

My grandmother always said apples were the best thing you could eat.