tomato
Pronunciation
/təˈmeɪtoʊ/

Definition & Meaning of "tomato"in English

Tomato
01

a soft and round fruit that is red and is used a lot in salads and many other foods

tomato definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Composition
Simple
Countable
Plural form
tomatoes

What is a "tomato"?

A tomato is a round or oval-shaped fruit with a smooth and shiny skin, typically red when ripe, although there are also yellow, orange, and green varieties. It has a juicy flesh with numerous seeds within it. Tomatoes are widely used in cooking around the world and are considered a staple ingredient in many cuisines. They can be eaten raw in salads, sandwiches, or salsas, or cooked in sauces, soups, stews, and many other dishes. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C and vitamin K, as well as antioxidants and dietary fiber.

Examples
He made a tomato and avocado salad with a zesty lemon dressing.
02

a person regarded as unattractive, dull, or visually unimpressive

tomato definition and meaning
Offensive
Slang

What is the origin of the term "tomato" and how is it used?

"Tomato" is a slang term that emerged in early 20th-century American English to describe a person, usually a woman, regarded as unattractive, dull, or visually unimpressive. It comes from the metaphor of a plain or unremarkable tomato, in contrast to the word's occasional association with bright or appealing fruit, highlighting the speaker's negative judgment. The term was often used in casual conversation, comedy, and popular culture of the time. It is mildly derogatory, largely informal, and rarely used in serious contexts today.

Examples
He shrugged and called the guy a tomato, plain and forgettable.
03

an attractive woman, often focusing on her physical appeal

Humorous
Informal
Examples
That girl is such a tomato — everyone ’s admiring her.
tomato
01

having a shade of red that is medium light, like the color of a tomato

tomato definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
qualitative
Superlative
most tomato
Comparative
more tomato
gradable
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