French word

lime

Pronunciation

IPA/lim/

Meaning

  • feminine nounlime

Example

Je coupe une lime et j'en mets dans la salade.

I cut a lime and put some in the salad.

Illustration for lime (lime)

More examples

Je presse une lime pour faire du jus.

I squeeze a lime to make juice.

Core concept

The same written form names either a tart green citrus fruit or a toothed abrasive implement.

Common phrases

  • jus de lime

    lime juice

  • zeste de lime

    lime zest

  • tranche de lime

    lime slice

Similar words

citron vert: A green-skinned, strongly tart fruit used in cooking and drinks.
citron: A yellow-skinned, strongly tart fruit often used for juice and cooking.

Definition in French

Mot qui a deux sens distincts: un petit agrume vert au goût acide utilisé en cuisine, et un outil abrasif appelé lime, ces deux sens n'ayant pas la même origine.

Word origin

The matching forms have separate histories: the fruit derives from Arabic līmū through Iberian usage, whereas the tool derives from Latin līma.

Usage tips

  • In food contexts, citron vert can clarify the fruit sense, while une lime à ongles specifically means a nail file.

Other meanings

  • filenoun

Related words

  • limettesmall limenoun

Word lists with this word