maize
maize Lexical Profile
maize Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A tall, domesticated cereal grass (Zea mays) of the family Poaceae native to Central America, characterized by stout stalks and large ears bearing rows of kernels enclosed in leafy husks.
"Farmers across the valley cultivate drought-resistant varieties of maize during the summer season."
The edible ears and starchy kernels of the maize plant, harvested and eaten fresh as a culinary vegetable or dried and ground into meal and flour as a staple food.
"Roasted maize seasoned with lime and chili powder is a popular street food."
A pale to medium yellow color resembling the shade of ripe corn kernels.
"She painted the kitchen walls a warm shade of maize to brighten the space."
• adjective
Having a pale to bright yellow color resembling that of ripe corn kernels.
"The university's athletic teams wear distinctive maize and blue uniforms."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse with its homophone 'maze' (a complex network of paths). In British and international English, 'maize' is the standard term for this crop, whereas North American English commonly uses 'corn' in everyday speech and reserves 'maize' for scientific, agricultural, or indigenous contexts.
• Rhymes for maize
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Spanish 'maíz', which itself derived from the Taíno word 'mahiz', the indigenous Caribbean name for the grain.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.