Kumquat is a small, bright-fruited citrus with a sweet-tart flavor. The word refers to the fruit and the tree (or shrub) bearing it. In speech, it is stressed on the first syllable, and its pronunciation foregrounds a short, rounded initial vowel and a final /wɒt/ or /wɔːt/ cluster that can challenge non-native speakers. The term is used in everyday horticulture, cooking, and grocery contexts.
Full pronunciation guide
