kumquat

noun

kum·​quat ˈkəm-ˌkwät 

: any of several small yellow to orange citrus fruits with sweet spongy rind and somewhat acid pulp that are used chiefly for preserves

also : a tree or shrub (genus Fortunella) of the rue family that bears kumquats

Examples of kumquat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sit down for a quick tasting and definitely give the refreshing cucumber vodka or tangy kumquat liqueur a try. —Christina Liao, Vogue, 17 June 2024

There are tidy lines of herbs to clip, radishes to pull, and small, bright kumquats to snack on. —Rebekah Peppler, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2024

Signature cocktails include the Sticky Ricky ($14), made with rum, coconut cream, mango, mint and orgeat, and An Unsympathetic Gentlemen ($15), made with blended scotch, Amontillado sherry, amaro and kumquat vermouth. —Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 17 May 2024

With this Calamansi plant—a hybrid plant that’s half mandarin orange and half kumquat—Mom gets to enjoy some sweet fruit and a lovely citrus aroma when the plant is in bloom. —Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Guangdong) gām-gwāt, from gām gold + gwāt citrus fruit

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

kumquat

noun

kum·​quat ˈkəm-ˌkwät 

1

: a small yellowish orange fruit related to the citruses with sweet spongy skin and somewhat tart pulp used especially for preserves

2

: a tree or shrub that bears kumquats