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Definition of tamarillo

tamarillo

/ˌtæm.əˈrɪl.oʊ/
tam · a · ril · lo

Plural:tamarillos
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tamarillo Lexical Profile

tamarillo Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An egg-shaped, edible fruit with a tangy, tart flavor, native to the Andes of South America and closely related to the true tomato.

Example

"She prepared a vibrant fresh salsa using diced tamarillo, red onion, and cilantro to serve with the grilled fish."


2

The fast-growing small tree or shrub (Solanum betaceum) of the nightshade family that bears the tamarillo fruit, widely cultivated in subtropical climates such as New Zealand and Colombia.

Example

"The farmer planted a row of tamarillos along the sheltered edge of the orchard to protect their fragile branches from strong winds."

• Rhymes for tamarillo

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in New Zealand in 1967 by the New Zealand Tree Tomato Promotions Council to rebrand the 'tree tomato' for commercial appeal, likely blending elements of 'tomato' and the Spanish word 'amarillo' (yellow).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tamarillo. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tamarillo
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