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Definition of greengage
greengage
/ˈɡriːn.ɡeɪdʒ/
green · gage
Plural:greengages
greengage Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
greengage Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A sweet, greenish-yellow variety of European plum that is highly valued for its rich flavor and frequently used in desserts, preserves, and jams.
Example
"The recipe called for a pound of ripe greengages to give the summer tart a perfectly balanced sweet and tart flavor."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for greengageWord Nuance & Usage
While highly prized in British culinary traditions for jams and desserts, the greengage is much less commonly cultivated or recognized in North American markets compared to standard purple plums.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Named after Sir William Gage, who introduced this variety of plum to England from France in the early 18th century. In France, the fruit was originally known as 'Reine Claude' in honor of Queen Claude, the wife of King Francis I.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Greengage. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/greengage