fig

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈfig How to pronounce fig (audio)
Synonyms of fignext
1
a
: an oblong or pear-shaped syconium fruit of a tree (genus Ficus) of the mulberry family
b
: a tree bearing figs : a ficus tree
especially : a widely cultivated tree (F. carica) that produces edible figs see also strangler fig, weeping fig compare banyan, peepul, rubber plant
2
: a worthless trifle : the least bit
doesn't care a fig

Illustration of fig

Illustration of fig
  • fig 1

fig

2 of 3

noun (2)

: dress, array
… a young woman in dazzling royal full fig …—Mollie Panter-Downes

fig

3 of 3

abbreviation

figurative; figuratively; figure

Synonyms of fig

Relevance

Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of fig in a Sentence

Noun (1) they choose to live modestly and don't seem to give a fig for the trappings of success
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Premier Figuier, which launched in 1994, is widely considered to have been the first-ever fig fragrance. — April Long, Allure, 12 Oct. 2026 Make sure to bake in some time to walk among the property’s knotty olive and fig trees, too. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026 Nearby, the neat rows of grapevines and fig trees his family had tended for three generations had vanished under piles of rubble. — Ghada Abdulfattah, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026 The breakfast buffet includes plenty of healthy options, such as overnight oats, matcha, and Greek yogurt with fresh figs and thyme honey. — Rachel Howard, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fig

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English fige, from Anglo-French, from Old Occitan figa, from Vulgar Latin *fica, from Latin ficus fig tree, fig

Noun (2)

fig, verb, to adorn

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fig was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing fig

Rhymes for fig

See All Rhymes for fig

Browse Nearby Words

fifty-two
fig
figaro sauce
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fig. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

fig

noun
ˈfig
: an oblong or pear-shaped fruit that grows on a tree related to the mulberries
also : a tree bearing figs

Medical Definition

fig

1 of 2 noun
ˈfig How to pronounce fig (audio)
1
: an oblong or pear-shaped fruit that is a syconium
especially : the edible fruit of a widely cultivated tree (Ficus carica) that has laxative qualities
2
: any of a genus (Ficus) of trees of the mulberry family that produce figs

fig

2 of 2 abbreviation
figure

More from Merriam-Webster on fig

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fig

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All