gumdrop

Everyday

1. A gumdrop is a small, soft, chewy sweet shaped like a little dome, usually coated in sugar and brightly coloured. tree →
2. (informal) Used as a pet name for a sweet person. tree →

In the lessons

Used in everyday life, especially in the US and Canada, at parties and for decorating gingerbread houses. Phrases: «a bag of gumdrops». In maths problems, gumdrops are counted, shared and sorted by colour.

Examples

• We put gumdrops on the roof of the gingerbread house. tree →
• She shared 12 gumdrops equally among 3 friends. tree →
• Red gumdrops are my favourite. tree →
• The jar was full of gumdrops. tree →
• Don't eat too many gumdrops — they're sticky on your teeth. tree →
• Grandma called the baby «my little gumdrop». tree →

Note

Countable: one gumdrop, many gumdrops. US/Canada word; in the UK similar sweets are «gum drops», «jelly sweets» or «gums». In sharing problems: 12 gumdrops among 3 children is 12 ÷ 3 = 4 each.