Apricot is a small, velvety fruit with a tart-sweet flavor, or its yellow-orange color. In general use, it denotes the fruit, but also appears in color names and culinary contexts. The word can function as a noun in botany and food writing, or as an adjective in color descriptions. Etymologically curious, it traces back through multiple languages to a Near Eastern fruit lineage.
"I bought ripe apricots at the market and ate one for a snack."
"The apricot glaze gave the pastries a sunny, inviting shine."
"She wore an apricot blouse that complemented her olive skin."
"The apricot color scheme made the room feel warm and cheerful."
Apricot originates from the Latin malum praecocium? to Greek—earliest forms trace to Armenian or Persian terms for the fruit. The word entered English via Old French abricot, from Medieval Latin praecox malum? likely from Arabic or Persian terms for the fruit, with the fruit itself potentially originating in China or Armenia/Iranian regions. The 16th–18th centuries saw apricot become a common name for both the fruit and the color; by the 19th century, culinary usage solidified in English-speaking countries. The term spread with trade routes along the Silk Road, absorbing regional phonetic variants, ending in English as “apricot.” The color sense emerged later as the fruit’s name used descriptively for hues resembling the fruit’s skin. First known English attestations appear in 16th century texts, often tied to horticultural and culinary references. Over centuries, the orthography stabilized to APRICOT, with stress commonly placed on the first syllable in English.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Apricot" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Apricot" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Apricot"
-lot sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Apricot is pronounced as /ˈeɪ.prɪ.kɒt/ in US English and /ˈæ.prɪ.kɒt/ in UK English; Australian follows the UK pattern /ˈæ.prɪ.kɒt/. The primary stress is on the first syllable. Start with a long vowel in the first syllable in many US dialects, then reduce to /ɪ/ in the second, and finish with /ɒt/. Listen to native models and pair ‘ay-pri’ with the quick, clipped final ‘cot’ to maintain the rhythm.
Common errors include slipping from /ˈeɪ/ to /æ/ in the first syllable, saying /ˈeɪ.prɪ.kɔt/ with a long o; misplacing the stress as second syllable; and mispronouncing the final '-cot' as /kəʊt/ instead of /kɒt/. To correct: keep the first syllable clipped and stressed, use /ɒ/ for the final vowel, and ensure the final /t/ is released clearly—avoid an overemphasized consonant before it.
In US English, /ˈeɪ.prɪ.kɒt/ or /ˈeɪ.prɪ.kət/ can occur; the second vowel is often reduced to /ɪ/ or /ə/. UK and AU typically use /ˈæ.prɪ.kɒt/ with a shorter first vowel; rhoticity affects the /r/ only in other words, not present in apricot’s pronunciation. The Australian tends to keep a flat, clipped /æ/ and strong /kɒt/ ending. Focus on the first vowel quality and the final /ɒt/ in all accents.
Two challenges: first, the first syllable can host a diphthong variation (/eɪ/ vs /æ/) depending on dialect; second, ending with /kɒt/ requires precise throat position and a crisp T release. The combination of a tense onset, a mid vowel, and a short, rounded final adds to the potential mispronunciations. Practicing with slow, cued articulation and listening to native samples helps stabilize the sequence.
A unique point is the potential variation in second syllable vowel reduction (prɪ vs prət) when spoken quickly; focus on reducing the second syllable’s vowel while keeping the stress on the first syllable. This helps maintain the word’s compact rhythm, especially in connected speech. Practice with contexts where you say apricot in a list or quick description.
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