fruitcake

noun

fruit·​cake ˈfrüt-ˌkāk How to pronounce fruitcake (audio)
plural fruitcakes
1
: a rich cake containing nuts, dried or candied fruits, spices, and usually alcohol (such as rum or brandy)
2
: a foolish or eccentric person
The roommate once thought of as a fruitcake is the candidate likeliest to be our next Secretary of State.Erich Segal
also, sometimes offensive : someone who is not mentally sound
"… The guy on the tape's a fruitcake. And he has a rifle. You are not safe here." Pat Conroy

Examples of fruitcake in a Sentence

children in the neighborhood once regarded the reclusive scientist as a fruitcake he agreed to an evaluation so they could see he wasn't a fruitcake
Recent Examples on the Web The big dilemma here: Would Pee-wee ever get a present that wasn’t fruitcake? Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 31 July 2023 This very-merry experience will feature classic European Christmas Market staples like eggnog, fruitcake, and gingerbread alongside gifts made by local artisans. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 28 July 2023 Among the merriment cruisers will find are food stands with eggnog, fruitcake, and gingerbread, and gift markets with local crafts. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2023 Madeline Carter/Associated Press LAS VEGAS — When Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens values first-round picks like Christmas fruitcakes, summer league can become difficult motivation, especially after two controversial trades of core players. Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2023 Why not bake the fruitcake inside a carapace of dough? John Kelly, Washington Post, 13 May 2023 Ever since Queen Victoria’s time, a rich fruitcake has been the English wedding cake of choice, Cairns explains. Lyndsey Matthews, Town & Country, 21 Apr. 2021 The naan stuffing tasted like a chana masala and a fruitcake that had gotten into a bar fight. Cade Metz, New York Times, 4 Nov. 2022 Judging panel described the Triple Wood as exhibiting: A summer Turkish delight of sweet raisin, marmalade and orange blossom aromas with a rich fruitcake palate, hints of brown sugar and honey, with a creamy toffee texture on the finish. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fruitcake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1687, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fruitcake was in 1687

Dictionary Entries Near fruitcake

Cite this Entry

“Fruitcake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fruitcake. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fruitcake

noun
fruit·​cake ˈfrüt-ˌkāk How to pronounce fruitcake (audio)
: a rich cake containing nuts, dried or candied fruits, and spices

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