succulent
/ˈsʌk.jʊ.lənt/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Juicy and soft, especially because it has a lot of water. It is often used for plants or cooked food.
- The mango was sweet and succulent.
- These plants store water in their thick leaves.
- The chicken stayed succulent after roasting.
noun
A plant with thick, fleshy parts that store water. Many succulents can live in dry places.
- She keeps succulents on the balcony.
- Cacti are a type of succulent.
- This succulent needs very little water.
Adinary Nuance
Succulent is more specific than juicy. It suggests rich moisture and softness, often in food or plants. For food, it sounds a little more elegant than plain juicy. For plants, it is the normal word for water-storing plants, not just any plant.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- mọng nước
- Spanish
- suculento
- Chinese
- 多汁的
- Japanese
- 多肉の
- Korean
- 다육의
Etymology
From Latin succulentus, meaning 'full of juice'. It entered English in the 1500s, first for juicy food and later for water-storing plants.
Common phrases
succulent leavessucculent plantssucculent meatsucculent fruit
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is succulent used more for food or plants?
- Both, but the plant meaning is very common in everyday English.
- Is succulent a formal word?
- It can sound a little formal for food, but it is normal for plants.
- What is the difference between succulent and juicy?
- Juicy usually means full of juice. Succulent often suggests richer, softer, and more delicious moisture.
- Can I call a cactus a succulent?
- Yes. A cactus is a kind of succulent.