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Definition of imbe
imbe
/ˈɪm.beɪ/
im · be
Plural:imbes
imbe Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
South African A small, bright orange, edible fruit with a thin skin and sweet, highly acidic flesh, produced by the African mangosteen tree.
Example
"During our trip to Mozambique, we stopped at a local market to buy a basket of fresh imbe."
2
South African An evergreen tree (Garcinia livingstonei) of the mangosteen family, native to eastern and southern Africa, noted for its stiff branches and edible fruit.
Example
"The distinctive, rigid branches of the imbe make it a recognizable tree in the African savanna."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from southeastern African Bantu languages (such as Zulu or Tsonga), referring natively to the African mangosteen.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Imbe. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/imbe