Cantaloup

/ˈkæn.təˌlup/ noun

Definition

A variant spelling of cantaloupe; a round melon with a netted, tan-colored rind and orange flesh.

Etymology

From 'Cantalupo,' a small town near Rome where these melons were first grown in Europe in the 1600s after being brought from Armenia or Persia, with English adding various spellings over time.

Kelly Says

The cantaloupe's journey shows how globalization worked 500 years ago—melons went from the Middle East to Italy, then to France, then to America, and each region added its own spelling, creating 'cantaloup,' 'cantaloupe,' 'cantaloupe,' and more.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.