tonka bean tree

9.9

A tall tropical South American tree that produces fragrant seeds for flavoring

noun
/ˈtɔŋkə bin tri/

Specialized

: árbol de tonka

Many perfumers use seeds from the tonka bean tree for their distinctive sweet aroma.

Examples

Many chefs use the tonka bean tree seeds for flavoring.
The tonka bean tree thrives in the tropical rainforests of South America.
Harvesting the tonka bean tree requires patience, as its pods are picked by hand.
The tonka bean tree is native to South America.
The seeds of the tonka bean tree are often grated to add a unique flavor to desserts.
Many perfumers use seeds from the tonka bean tree for their distinctive sweet aroma.
The tonka bean tree thrives in the tropical rainforests of South America.

Synonyms

Coumarouna odorata

vstonka bean tree

Specialized

9.9

A tall South American tree that makes fragrant black seeds used to add a sweet vanilla smell

is the same tree named by its common product rather than scientific name

Dipteryx odorata

vstonka bean tree

Specialized

9.9

A tall South American tree whose fragrant black seeds flavor food

uses the everyday product name instead of the formal species label

How Tall

big tree

Specialized

3 3.5

tonka bean tree

Specialized

9.9

tree

∞ 1.0

shrub

44 1.0

Surface Forms

tonka bean tree singular

tonka bean trees plural

Morphology

tonka + bean + tree

The compound denotes a tree that produces tonka beans, so its meaning is directly compositional from 'tonka' (a type of seed), 'bean' (seed) and 'tree' (a tall plant). This noun‑noun construction follows ordinary English compounding patterns (and parallels in other languages), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Tonka bean tree is a tall South American tree that makes hard, black seeds called tonka beans. These almond-shaped seeds smell sweet, like vanilla, and that strong scent is why the name means a tree that gives the fragrant seeds 'used in perfume' and 'flavoring'.