orange

1 of 3

noun

or·​ange ˈär-inj How to pronounce orange (audio)
ˈär(-ə)nj;
chiefly Northern & Midland
ˈȯr-inj How to pronounce orange (audio)
ˈȯr(-ə)nj
1
a
: a globose berry with a yellowish to reddish-orange rind and a sweet edible pulp
He peeled an orange.
b
: any of various small evergreen citrus trees (genus Citrus) with glossy ovate leaves, hard yellow wood, fragrant white flowers, and fruits that are oranges
2
: any of several trees or fruits resembling the orange
3
: any of a group of colors that are between red and yellow in hue
Orange is about midway between red and yellow in hue.

orange

2 of 3

adjective (1)

1
: of or relating to the orange
2
: of the color orange

Orange

3 of 3

adjective (2)

: of, relating to, or sympathizing with Orangemen
Orangeism
ˈär-in-ˌji-zəm, 
ˈär(ə-)n-, 
ˈȯr-in- How to pronounce Orange (audio)
ˈȯr(ə-)n-
noun

Examples of orange in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The reds and oranges are from iron; the blues and bright greens are from copper; manganese produces black and brown. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026 But because the fundamental physical demands of each sport are completely opposite, comparing them is like apples to oranges. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Adjective
The singer leaned all the way into the feel-good and joyful song, dropping pink, white and orange balloons from the ceiling as confetti shot in the air. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2026 No brand strategist decided when Norwegian supporters should row through a train station, which city streets Dutch fans dressed in orange, or that Japanese fans should answer both victory and defeat with identical displays of respect and care. — Julia Dhar, Time, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for orange

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French orrange, araunge, from Old Occitan auranja, from Arabic nāranj, from Persian nārang, from Sanskrit nāraṅga orange tree

First Known Use

Noun

1532, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective (1)

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1795, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of orange was in 1532

Phrases Containing orange

Browse Nearby Words

orang
orange
Orange
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Orange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orange. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

orange

1 of 2 noun
or·​ange ˈär-inj How to pronounce orange (audio) ˈȯr- How to pronounce orange (audio)
-ənj
1
a
: a round usually sweet juicy fruit with a yellowish to reddish orange rind
b
: any of various small evergreen citrus trees having shiny leaves, fragrant white flowers, and fruits which are oranges
2
: a color between red and yellow

orange

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of or relating to the orange
2
: of the color orange

Medical Definition

orange

noun
or·​ange ˈär-inj How to pronounce orange (audio) ˈȯr- How to pronounce orange (audio)
1
a
: a globose berry with a yellowish to reddish orange rind and a sweet edible pulp
b
: any of various rather small evergreen trees (genus Citrus) with ovate leaves, hard yellow wood, fragrant white flowers, and fruits that are oranges
2
often capitalized : agent orange

Geographical Definition

Orange 1 of 2

geographical name (1)

Or·​ange ˈär-inj How to pronounce Orange (audio)
ˈär(-ə)nj, 
ˈȯr-inj, 
ˈȯr(-ə)nj
1
city in southwestern California north of Santa Ana population 136,416
2
river 1300 miles (2092 kilometers) long in southern Africa flowing from the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho west into the Atlantic Ocean

Orange

2 of 2

geographical name (2)

ȯ-ˈräⁿzh How to pronounce Orange (audio)
city in southeastern France north of Avignon population 29,135

More from Merriam-Webster on orange

Nglish: Translation of orange for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about orange

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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