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Definition of honeydew

honeydew

/ˈhʌn.i.duː/
hon · ey · dew
Plural:honeydews
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honeydew Lexical Profile

honeydew Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A variety of winter melon characterized by a smooth, pale rind and sweet, juicy, pale green flesh.

Example

"We served a refreshing summer salad made of chilled honeydew, mint, and feta cheese."

2

A sugary, sticky substance excreted by aphids, scale insects, and other sap-sucking insects as they feed on plant stems and leaves.

Example

"The thick layer of honeydew left by the aphids quickly attracted a large colony of ants."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for honeydew

• Nearby Words

honeycomb
honeycreeper
honeycup
honeydew
honeyeater
honeyguide
honeysuckle

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'honydew', originally referring to the sweet, sticky liquid found on leaves (either an exudate of the plant itself or an insect secretion). The term was later applied to the sweet-fleshed winter melon in the early 20th century.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Honeydew. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/honeydew
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