cucumber

plural cucumbers · alternative colloquial cuke · alternative colloquial cumber · alternative obsolete cowcumber

1. countableuncountableA vine in the gourd family, Cucumis sativus.

   ASPARAGUS, cauliflowers, imperial Sileſia, royal and cabbage lettuces, burnet, purſlain, cucumbers, naſturtian flowers, peaſe and beans ſown in October, artichokes, ſcarlet ſtrawberries, and kidney beans.

   1767, A Lady [Hannah Glasse], The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Eaſy […] , page 326

2. countableuncountableThe edible fruit of this plant, having a green rind and crisp white flesh.

   To the bowl, add cucumber, cabbage and carrot.

   2025 March 12, David Tanis, “Cucumber-Cabbage Salad With Sesame”, in New York Times Cooking, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 13 Mar 2025

   3 more examples

   […]for it has been a common ſaying of phyſicians in England, that a cucumber ſhould be well ſliced, and dreſſed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out, as good for nothing.

   1785, James Boswell, quoting Samuel Johnson, Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnſon […] , London: Henry Baldwin, page 356

   "Why, pepper and salt your reasons!" cried Curl, forgetting to look at the door for a moment: "your pamphlet has talent; but talent is like a cucumber, nothing without the dressing. You must be more personal."

   1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Publishing”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 14

   Probably on account of its phallic formation, the cucumber is often assumed to have aphrodisiac qualities.

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 71

   Synonyms: cuke, cumber

3. countablefigurativelyinformaluncountableA person who is calm and self-possessed.

   The guy's a real cucumber.

   1999, Mark Grantham, The Brewery, page 275

   2 more examples

   That Wolf is one cool cucumber.

   2002, Margaret Fisher, Putting on Mock Trials, page 29

   "You're smart," says Irv, pointing at her and nodding his head. "A smart cucumber."

   2018, Derek B. Miller, American By Day, page 65