Definition of YAM

yam

Meanings

Plural: yams

Noun

  • edible tuber of any of several yams
  • any of a number of tropical vines of the genus Dioscorea many having edible tuberous roots
  • sweet potato with deep orange flesh that remains moist when baked
  • edible tuberous root of various yam plants of the genus Dioscorea grown in the tropics world-wide for food
  • Any climbing vine of the genus Dioscorea in the Eastern and Western hemispheres, usually cultivated.
  • The edible, starchy, tuberous root of that plant, a tropical staple food.
  • A sweet potato; a tuber from the species Ipomoea batatas.
  • A potato.
  • An oca; a tuber from the species Oxalis tuberosa.
  • Taro.
  • An orange-brown colour, like the flesh of the yam.
  • Home.

Verb

  • Pronunciation spelling of am.
  • To eat.
  • To dunk on; to beat humiliatingly.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from Portuguese inhame and Spanish ñame, likely from Wolof ñàmbi (“cassava”) or a related word. The term was spelled yam as early as 1657.

Synonyms

yam plant

Scrabble Score: 8

yam is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
yam is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
yam is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

yam is a valid Words With Friends word