banana
banana
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "banana" is /bəˈnænə/.
First syllable: /bə/ (buh) - a voiced bilabial stop followed by a schwa.
Second syllable: /næn/ (nan) - a voiced alveolar nasal, followed by a near-open front unrounded vowel, followed by a voiced alveolar nasal.
Third syllable: /ə/ (uh) - a schwa.
Word Form Variations
Singular: banana
Plural: bananas
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A long, curved fruit with soft, pulpy flesh and a yellow skin when ripe, growing in clusters on tropical plants.
Synonyms: fruit, plantain (in some contexts), Musa (botanical)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms as it's a specific fruit)
(Slang, derogatory) A person, especially a male, who is perceived as foolish, clumsy, or easily manipulated.
Synonyms: fool, idiot, dolt, simpleton, pushover
Antonyms: genius, mastermind, shrewd person, assertive person
(Figurative, informal) Something that is very easy or straightforward to accomplish. Often used in the phrase "peel a banana."
Synonyms: cakewalk, cinch, piece of cake, no-brainer
Antonyms: challenge, difficulty, struggle, uphill battle
Examples of Use
Books:
"He peeled a banana slowly, each segment of skin detaching with a faint whisper, before taking a large bite. The sweetness burst in his mouth, a fleeting comfort." (From a fictional novel, e.g., Life of Pi by Yann Martel)
"The children's section was vibrant, and a particularly popular board book featured a cheerful monkey gleefully eating a banana on almost every page." (Observation of a children's book, e.g., Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.)
Newspapers:
"Local farmers are reporting a bumper crop of bananas this season, promising lower prices for consumers in the coming weeks." (Headline/excerpt from a local newspaper, e.g., Daily Nation)
"Economists are closely watching the impact of recent climate events on global banana production, fearing potential shortages and price hikes." (Article in a financial section, e.g., The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"Here are 10 delicious and healthy ways to incorporate bananas into your breakfast routine, from smoothies to pancakes." (Food blog post, e.g., Minimalist Baker)
"A viral video shows a dog expertly balancing a banana on its nose before catching it mid-air, delighting millions of viewers." (Online news article or social media aggregate, e.g., BuzzFeed News)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Show (Sitcom): "He slipped on a banana peel, a classic comedic move that still got a laugh from the studio audience." (Dialogue from a sitcom like Friends or Seinfeld)
Song Lyrics: "Yellow banana, sweet and long, makes me happy, makes me strong." (Children's song or simple pop lyric, e.g., "The Banana Song" by The Wiggles)
Video Game: "Collect all the bananas to earn bonus points and unlock the next level!" (Instruction or objective in a platformer game like Donkey Kong)
Film: "The spy used a cleverly disguised banana as a communication device, a detail that baffled the villain." (Plot point in a spy comedy film)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you hand me a banana for my smoothie?" (Casual request in a kitchen setting)
"I feel completely drained, I need a banana for some quick energy." (Everyday conversation about fatigue)
"That new policy is totally bananas, it makes no sense at all!" (Informal expression of disbelief or disapproval, slang usage)
"My computer crashed, and now all my files are gone. I'm going bananas trying to fix it!" (Informal expression of frustration or madness, slang usage)
10 Famous Quotes Using Banana
"There's an old saying: you can't compare apples and oranges. But what about apples and bananas?" (Attributed to various sources, often in discussions of incomparable things)
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. And maybe a banana." (A playful twist on Cicero's quote, often found in memes and social media)
"Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because it wasn't peeling well!" (Classic, widely known joke)
"Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. Dexterity is peeling a banana with your feet." (Widely circulated internet meme/quote, often humorous)
"Life is like a banana: you have to peel it before you can enjoy it." (Common motivational or inspirational saying, often found online)
"He was the kind of person who could slip on a banana peel and make it look like a choreographed dance." (Original metaphorical quote, often used to describe someone graceful or lucky)
"Don't go bananas over spilled milk." (A common idiomatic phrase, meaning don't get overly upset about something minor)
"The best way to eat a banana is to eat it before it eats you." (Humorous and often attributed to children or quirky characters)
"Money doesn't grow on trees, but bananas do." (A simple, commonly understood statement, often used to teach children about where food comes from)
"A banana a day keeps the doctor away, especially if you throw it at him." (A humorous twist on the "apple a day" proverb, commonly found in informal settings)
Etymology
The word "banana" has a pretty interesting journey! It's believed to have come into English through Spanish or Portuguese, but its true roots lie in West Africa.
Most experts think the word comes from the Wolof word "banaana." Wolof is a language spoken in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania. During the Age of Exploration, when European sailors and traders were traveling around the world, they encountered this fruit in West Africa. The Portuguese and Spanish, being early explorers in those regions, likely borrowed the word from the Wolof people.
The earliest known use of the word "banana" in English dates back to 1597. At that time, it already referred to the long, curved, yellow fruit we know today. It's worth noting that bananas themselves actually originated in Southeast Asia and the East Indies. However, they were introduced and widely cultivated in Africa long before Europeans arrived, which is why the African name became so widespread.
Some theories also suggest a possible connection to the Arabic word "banan," which means "finger," as the individual fruits in a bunch are often called "fingers." While there might be some influence, the strong link to the West African languages seems to be the more accepted origin for the English word.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Banana
Go bananas: To become wild, crazy, or extremely enthusiastic.
Top banana: The most important person in a group or organization.
Second banana: The person who plays a subordinate or less important role to the "top banana."
Slip on a banana peel: To make a silly or embarrassing mistake (often associated with physical comedy).
Banana republic: A small, politically unstable country, especially one dependent on foreign capital and dominated by a single export like bananas.
Banana skin: A potentially embarrassing or dangerous situation or mistake. (More common in British English)
The banana trick: A simple, often obvious, but effective maneuver or solution. (Lesser-known/original)
Peel the banana: To reveal the simple truth or easily solve a problem. (Original phrase)
A bunch of bananas: A group of people who are acting foolishly or chaotically. (Original idiom, playing on "go bananas")
Smooth as a ripe banana: Exceptionally easy, effortless, or without friction. (Original descriptive phrase)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of banana from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
