Definition

1. Noun:

   • A type of small, sweet citrus fruit: A "tangerine" is a specific variety of mandarin orange, known for its loose, easy-to-peel skin and sweet, segmented flesh.
   • A reddish-orange color: "Tangerine" also refers to a vivid, deep orange color, similar to the skin of the fruit.

2. Adjective:

   • Having a reddish-orange color: Describes something that is the color of a tangerine fruit.

Examples

• Noun (Fruit):
  • She packed a tangerine in her lunch.
  • Tangerines are often eaten as a healthy snack.
• Noun (Color):
  • The sunset was a brilliant tangerine.
  • She painted her room a warm tangerine.
• Adjective:
  • She wore a tangerine dress to the party.
  • The artist used tangerine paint for the highlights.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The word is often used attributively to describe other nouns.
  • tangerine zest (the outer peel of the fruit, used for flavor)
  • tangerine grove (a plantation where tangerines are grown)

Variants and Related Words

• Tangelo (n): A citrus fruit hybrid of a tangerine and a grapefruit or pomelo.
• Clementine (n): A seedless variety of mandarin, similar to a tangerine but often smaller and sweeter.
• Mandarin (n): The broader category of citrus fruit to which tangerines belong.

Synonyms

• Noun (Fruit): Mandarin (orange).
• Noun (Color): Orange, reddish-orange, burnt orange.

Related Phrases

• "Tangerine dream": A phrase sometimes used to describe something idealized, beautiful, or surreal, often with a warm, orange hue. It is also the name of a famous musical group.
  • The landscape looked like a tangerine dream in the evening light.

Adjective

1. of a strong reddish orange color

Noun

1. a reddish to vivid orange color
2. any of various deep orange mandarins grown in the United States and southern Africa
3. a variety of mandarin orange