Definition

Noun 1. A type of lemon tree: A specific variety of the lemon tree (Citrus limon) that produces fruit with a pulp that is notably sweet or mild in flavor compared to the typical sour lemon. 2. The fruit of this tree: The lemon itself, characterized by its less acidic, somewhat sweetish, and sometimes considered bland pulp.

Usage Examples

• The sweet lemon is often preferred for eating fresh because it lacks the sharp acidity of common lemons.
• She used juice from a sweet lemon in the dessert, which gave it a subtle citrus flavor without too much tartness.
• This grove specializes in growing sweet lemons for the local market.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in botanical and horticultural contexts to distinguish this cultivar from the more common sour lemon varieties.
• In metaphorical or informal use, "sweet lemon" might describe something that is deceptively or unexpectedly pleasant, though this is not a standard idiom.

Variants and Related Words

• Sweet lime (): A closely related citrus fruit with a similarly sweet, mild flavor. While often confused, sweet lemon and sweet lime are distinct varieties.
• Lemon (): The general term for the sour, acidic citrus fruit.

Synonyms

• Sweetish lemon
• Mild lemon

Notes on Meaning

The primary meaning of "sweet lemon" is botanical, referring to the specific plant and its fruit. Its defining characteristic is the taste of its pulp, which is described as "insipid sweetish" meaning it is sweet but not strongly flavorful. It is not a common metaphorical term in everyday English.

Noun

1. lemon tree having fruit with a somewhat insipid sweetish pulp