water-melon
- Noun:
- A large, juicy fruit: "water-melon" refers to a large, oblong or round fruit with a hard green rind and sweet, watery red or pink flesh containing many black seeds.
- The plant producing this fruit: "water-melon" also denotes the vine (Citrullus lanatus) of the gourd family that bears this fruit.
- Noun:
- We sliced a cold water-melon for the picnic on a hot summer day. (A large, refreshing fruit eaten as a snack.)
- The farmer grew water-melon in his field to sell at the market. (The plant or its fruit cultivated commercially.)
"to have a water-melon moment": (informal) a moment of sudden, overwhelming realization or surprise, likened to the refreshing burst of a water-melon.
- When he solved the puzzle, it was a real water-melon moment for him. (A sudden, satisfying insight.)
"water-melon politics": a phrase used in some contexts to describe a politician who appears green (environmentally friendly) on the outside but is red (socialist) on the inside.
- Critics accused the candidate of water-melon politics, hiding radical views behind a green facade. (A metaphorical use of the fruit's appearance.)
Water-melon seed (n): the small, edible seeds found inside the fruit.
- She roasted water-melon seeds for a healthy snack. (The seeds are often dried and eaten.)
Water-melon rind (n): the thick, green outer skin of the fruit.
- Some people pickle water-melon rind to make a tangy side dish. (The rind is sometimes preserved or cooked.)
- Melon: a general term for any large, sweet fruit of the gourd family, though "water-melon" is distinct for its high water content.
- Citrullus lanatus: the scientific name for the water-melon plant.
Cut up a water-melon: to slice the fruit into pieces for serving.
- We need to cut up the water-melon before the guests arrive. (To prepare the fruit by dividing it.)
Spit out water-melon seeds: to remove seeds from the mouth while eating.
- The children laughed as they tried to spit out water-melon seeds the farthest. (A playful action associated with eating the fruit.)
As sweet as water-melon: used to describe something exceptionally agreeable or pleasant.
- Her smile was as sweet as water-melon on a summer day. (Very charming and refreshing.)
A hard nut to crack, but a soft water-melon inside: describing someone who seems tough but is gentle or vulnerable underneath.
- He acts gruff, but he's a soft water-melon inside. (A metaphor for hidden tenderness.)