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nutmeat

American English for the edible inner portion of a nut — the kernel inside the shell.

ˈnʌtˌmit196 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
2 definitions
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#1·Apr 28, 2026

American English for the edible inner portion of a nut — the kernel inside the shell. The word is practical and precise, commonly used in recipes, food processing, and culinary contexts where distinguishing the shell from the edible part matters. It has a slightly clinical, technical register compared to simply saying 'the nut'.

The recipe calls for two cups of walnut nutmeat, roughly chopped.
Origin: Compound of 'nut' + 'meat' (the edible inner flesh), following the pattern of 'coconut meat' and similar food terms. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents

"nutmeat" means: American English for the edible inner portion of a nut — the kernel inside the shell. The word is practical and precise, commonly used in re.... This is technical or formal vocabulary, more likely to appear in school work, news or a particular profession than in peer chat. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your child uses the term, it is usually a sign of curiosity about a subject area. A short follow-up question about where they came across it is usually all that is needed.

For ESL learners

"nutmeat" means: American English for the edible inner portion of a nut — the kernel inside the shell. The word is practical and precise, commonly used in re.... Register: formal or technical English, standard in its specialist domain (law, medicine, science, finance, etc.). Gloss the term with a plain synonym when writing for a general audience. Note the regional or dialect label (American) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or

Cluster: eat
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(US) The edible portion of a nut.

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For specific readers

"nutmeat" means: American English for the edible inner portion of a nut — the kernel inside the shell. The word is practical and precise, commonly used in re.... This is technical or formal vocabulary, more likely to appear in school work, news or a particular profession than in peer chat. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your child uses the term, it is usually a sign of curiosity about a subject area. A short follow-up question about where they came across it is usually all that is needed.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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