fig

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
a
: an oblong or pear-shaped syconium fruit of a tree (genus Ficus) of the mulberry family
b
: a tree bearing figs : a ficus tree
especially : a widely cultivated tree (F. carica) that produces edible figs see also strangler fig, weeping fig compare banyan, peepul, rubber plant
2
: a worthless trifle : the least bit
doesn't care a fig

Illustration of fig

Illustration of fig
  • fig 1

fig

2 of 3

noun (2)

: dress, array
a young woman in dazzling royal full figMollie Panter-Downes

fig

3 of 3

abbreviation

figurative; figuratively; figure

Examples of fig in a Sentence

Noun (1) they choose to live modestly and don't seem to give a fig for the trappings of success
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Customers can choose four of 11 spread toppings, such as brie, apple and fig; Mexican street corn; smoked salmon and pesto; or mushroom and mascarpone. Snacks range from $9-$16 and the bruschetta board costs $18. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2024 The sequence of symbols — a lion, eagle, bull, fig tree and plough — was found etched into Assyrian temple ruins in the ancient city of Dūr-Šarrukīn, located in present day Khorsabad, Iraq. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for fig 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fig.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English fige, from Anglo-French, from Old Occitan figa, from Vulgar Latin *fica, from Latin ficus fig tree, fig

Noun (2)

fig, verb, to adorn

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fig was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near fig

Cite this Entry

“Fig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fig. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

fig

noun
ˈfig
: an oblong or pear-shaped fruit that grows on a tree related to the mulberries
also : a tree bearing figs

Medical Definition

fig

1 of 2 noun
1
: an oblong or pear-shaped fruit that is a syconium
especially : the edible fruit of a widely cultivated tree (Ficus carica) that has laxative qualities
2
: any of a genus (Ficus) of trees of the mulberry family that produce figs

fig

2 of 2 abbreviation
figure

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