Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
American sweet gum

American sweet gum

6.7
A North American tree with star-shaped leaves, spiky round fruit, and sticky fragrant sap
  • noun
  • /əˈmɛrɪkən swit ɡʌm/
  • US
translation icon : goma dulce americana
  • The American sweet gum is known for its striking star-shaped leaves that turn vibrant colors in autumn.

Examples

  • Sticky sap from the American sweet gum was once used as a chewing gum substitute by Native Americans.

  • Landscapers often plant American sweet gum trees in parks for their ornamental value and shade.

  • The American sweet gum tree is known for its star-shaped leaves.

  • Many American sweet gums grow in parks across the country.

  • Landscapers often plant American sweet gum trees in parks for their ornamental value and shade.

  • The American sweet gum is known for its striking star-shaped leaves that turn vibrant colors in autumn.

  • Sticky sap from the American sweet gum was once used as a chewing gum substitute by Native Americans.

Synonyms

sweet gum tree
vsAmerican sweet gum
  • US
1 6.0

A North American tree with spiky round seed balls and sweet-smelling sap and red leaves in autumn

is the shorter everyday name form rather than a formal label
sweet gum
vsAmerican sweet gum
  • US
1 6.1

A North American tree with star-shaped leaves and prickly round fruits

is described by its distinctive leaves, fruit clusters, and fragrant resin
Liquidambar styraciflua
vsAmerican sweet gum
  • Specialized
9.9

A North American tree with star-shaped leaves and spiky round fruit

is the everyday common name used by non specialists
bilsted
vsAmerican sweet gum
  • US
9.9

A tall North American tree with star-shaped leaves, prickly round fruit, and fragrant sap

is the widely used general name rather than a local term
red gum
vsAmerican sweet gum
  • US
8.9

A North American tree with spiky round fruits and scented sap

is the common species name describing physical features rather than an alternate label

Surface Forms

American sweet gum singular
American sweet gums plural

Morphology

American + sweet + gum

The phrase is compositional: 'gum' denotes a resin-producing tree, 'sweet' describes a pleasant/aromatic quality of its sap or scent, and 'American' specifies its origin. A B1 learner who knows these constituents can reasonably infer it refers to a North American tree with sweet-smelling resin, so the meaning is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

American sweet gum gets its name from its sticky, sweet sap that people chewed like gum. Because Native Americans and early settlers used it as a 'chewing gum', the name came to mean this tree with star-shaped leaves and spiky fruit.