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Definition of ackee
ackee
/ˈæ.kiː/
ack · ee
Plural:ackees
ackee Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
ackee Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
The bright red, pear-shaped fruit of a tropical tree, native to West Africa and widely consumed as a staple in Jamaica, which must be fully ripe before cooking to avoid toxicity.
Example
"For breakfast, they prepared a traditional Jamaican dish of ackee and saltfish."
2
A tropical evergreen tree of the soapberry family (Blighia sapida), native to West Africa and extensively cultivated in the Caribbean for its edible fruit.
Example
"The ackee thrives in tropical climates and can grow up to thirty feet tall."
• Rhymes for ackee
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Akan (Twi) word 'akye'. The plant was brought to Jamaica from West Africa in the 18th century.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ackee. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ackee