lemon

Everyday

1. A lemon is an oval yellow fruit with sour juice and thick peel. tree →
2. Lemon is the taste or colour of this fruit: lemon cake, lemon yellow. tree →
3. Informally, a lemon is something, often a car, that does not work properly. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life lemons are used in drinks, cakes and cooking; lemonade stalls are a classic children's way to earn money. In science lessons lemon juice is an acid (it turns red cabbage indicator pink), it can power a tiny lemon battery, and it can be used as invisible ink. In maths problems lemons are counted and priced. Phrases: «a slice of lemon», «lemon juice», «squeeze a lemon», «when life gives you lemons, make lemonade» (make the best of a bad situation).

Examples

• Squeeze a lemon into the water. tree →
• Lemons taste very sour. tree →
• Mum made a lemon drizzle cake. tree →
• Lemon juice is an acid. tree →
• We wrote secret messages with lemon juice. tree →
• Lemons cost 30 cents each, so 5 lemons cost $1.50. tree →
• She painted her room lemon yellow. tree →
• When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! tree →

Note

Countable for the fruit (three lemons), uncountable for the flavour (some lemon). Lemon ≠ lime: a lime is smaller and green. Safety: lemon juice stings in cuts and eyes; acid can harm tooth enamel if you suck lemons often.