squash
squash Lexical Profile
squash Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An edible, fleshy fruit of various trailing vines in the gourd family, native to the Americas and widely cultivated as a vegetable.
"She roasted some butternut squash with olive oil and herbs for an autumn dinner."
A fast-paced racket sport played by two or four players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball.
"He plays squash every Tuesday evening to improve his cardiovascular fitness and agility."
British A sweetened, fruit-based concentrated syrup that is diluted with water to make a non-alcoholic beverage.
"The children were offered a glass of orange squash and a biscuit after school."
• verb
To crush or squeeze something with force so that it becomes flat, soft, or out of shape.
"Be careful not to squash the fresh tomatoes at the bottom of the grocery bag."
To firmly and effectively put an end to an idea, feeling, or rebellion.
"The administration acted swiftly to squash the rumors of an impending corporate bankruptcy."
To forcefully fit or squeeze into a tight space.
"They somehow managed to squash five people into the back seat of the small compact car."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word 'squash' represents two distinct etymological roots in English: a Native American term for the vegetable, and an Old French term for crushing, which later lent its name to the racket sport and fruit drink.
• Rhymes for squash
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The noun for the plant derives from the Narragansett word 'askutasquash', meaning 'eaten raw'. The verb, meaning to crush, derives from Old French 'esquasser', ultimately from Vulgar Latin 'exquassare'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.