Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
true cedar

true cedar

7.4
A tall evergreen tree of the Cedrus group that grows on high mountains like the Himalayas or Mediterranean
  • noun
  • /tru ˈsiːdər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cedro verdadero
  • Many garden centers mislabel other conifers as true cedar when they are not in the genus Cedrus.

Examples

  • Himalayan true cedar is prized for its fragrant, decay-resistant wood.

  • The forest was dominated by a stand of ancient true cedar trees.

  • The true cedar is known for its aromatic wood.

  • Many true cedars grow in the Himalayas.

  • The forest was dominated by a stand of ancient true cedar trees.

  • Himalayan true cedar is prized for its fragrant, decay-resistant wood.

  • Many true cedar trees grow in the Himalayas.

Synonyms

cedar
vstrue cedar
15 3.2

A large green tree that keeps its leaves all year and has pleasant-smelling wood

focuses on botanical membership in one specific genus rather than wood qualities
cedar tree
vstrue cedar
1 2.8

A large evergreen tree with strong, fragrant wood used for furniture

is narrower, applying only to trees of the specific genus not to lookalikes
Cedrus
vstrue cedar
  • Specialized
9.2

A type of large evergreen tree that grows on mountains and has wood that smells nice

refers to individual trees belonging to the genus rather than the genus itself

Surface Forms

true cedar singular
true cedars plural

Morphology

true + cedar

The phrase combines 'true' (genuine) with 'cedar' (the tree), so its meaning — an authentic/genuine cedar (i.e., a member of the genus Cedrus, as opposed to other trees colloquially called cedars) — is directly derivable from the parts. The 'true + noun' compositional pattern is common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer this distinction.

Etymology

The noun true cedar came from a simple idea: when sellers and plant experts saw many different trees called 'cedar', they put true before cedar to show the 'real' cedar, the Cedrus trees from mountain areas. That's why true cedar today means the actual Cedrus trees, not other look-alike trees given the same name.