fig

UK: 'fig', 'Fig': /ˈfɪɡ/ US: /fɪg/ ,(fig)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fig¹ /fɪg/   n. [countable]

1. Plant Biology a tree or shrub of the mulberry family that bears fruit that can be eaten.
2. Plant Biology the pear-shaped fruit of such a tree or shrub.

fig.,  an abbreviation of:

1. figurative.
2. figuratively.
3. figure.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fig¹  (fig), n. 

1. Plant Biology any tree or shrub belonging to the genus Ficus, of the mulberry family, esp. a small tree, F. carica, native to southwestern Asia, bearing a turbinate or pear-shaped fruit that is eaten fresh, preserved, or dried.
2. Plant Biology the fruit of such a tree or shrub, or of any related species.
3. Plant Biology any of various plants having a fruit somewhat resembling this.
4. a contemptibly trifling or worthless amount;
   the least bit:
   His help wasn't worth a fig.
5. a gesture of contempt.

• Vulgar Latin *fīca, for Latin fīcus
• Old Provencal figa
• Old French
• Middle English fige 1175–1225

fig²  (fig), n. 

1. dress or array:
   to appear at a party in full fig.
2. condition:
   to feel in fine fig.

• German fegen to furbish, sweep, clean; akin to fair¹
• earlier feague to liven, whip up 1685–95

fig., 

1. figurative.
2. figuratively.
3. figure;
   figures.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fig / fɪɡ/ noun

1. any moraceous tree or shrub of the tropical and subtropical genus Ficus, in which the flowers are borne inside a pear-shaped receptacle
2. the fruit of any of these trees, esp of F. carica, which develops from the receptacle and has sweet flesh containing numerous seedlike structures
3. (used with a negative) something of negligible value; jot: I don't care a fig for your opinion

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French figue, from Old Provençal figa, from Latin fīcus fig tree

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fig. abbreviation

1. figurative(ly)
2. figure