Almond vs. Amaretto — What's the Difference?

The almond (Prunus dulcis, syn. Prunus amygdalus) is a species of tree native to Iran and surrounding countries but widely cultivated elsewhere.

Amaretto (Italian for "a little bitter") is a sweet Italian liqueur that originated in Saronno. Depending on the brand, it may be made from apricot kernels, bitter almonds, peach stones, or almonds, all of which are natural sources of the benzaldehyde that provides the almond-like flavour of the liqueur.

A deciduous tree (Prunus dulcis) in the rose family, native to Asia and northern Africa and having alternate, simple leaves, pink flowers, and leathery fruits.

Pl. am·a·ret·tos An Italian liqueur flavored with almond.

The ellipsoidal kernel of this tree, either eaten as a nut or used for extraction of an oil for flavoring.

Pl. am·a·ret·ti (-tē) A small crisp Italian cookie typically flavored with almond.

Any of several other plants, such as the Indian almond, especially those with fruits or seeds suggestive of the almond.

A sweet-bitter liqueur originating from Italy (but also produced in Turkey), flavored with almonds and a secret blend-specific mix of some 200 ingredients such as the pits from apricots, peaches, cherries or other stone fruits.

Something having the oval form of an almond.

(countable) A glass of that liqueur.

A pale tan.

(countable) A light Italian cookie made with almonds.

(countable) A certain tree nut.

(countable) A small deciduous tree in family Rosaceae, Prunus amygdalus, that produces predominantly sweet almonds.

Other plants that produce almond-like nuts:

Prunus dulcis var. amara, bitter almond, that only produces bitter fruits

Prunus japonica, flowering almond, an ornamental shrub in family Rosaceae

Prunus andersonii, desert almond, a North American shrub in family Rosaceae

Prunus fasciculata, desert range almond or wild almond, North American shrub in family Rosaceae

Terminalia catappa, Indian almond or tropical almond, in family Combretaceae

Brabejum stellatifolium or bitter almond, in family Proteaceae

(uncountable) The colour of the kernel of an almond without its shell and thin seed coat, a creamy off-white colour.

(uncountable) The color of an almond still covered by its skin, a shade of brown.

(uncountable) Flavor or other characteristics of almond.

Anything shaped like an almond; specifically, a tonsil.

Brownish, resembling the colour of an almond nut.

The fruit of the almond tree.

The tree that bears the fruit; almond tree.

Anything shaped like an almond.

Small bushy deciduous tree native to Asia and North Africa having pretty pink blossoms and highly prized edible nuts enclosed in a hard green hull; cultivated in southern Australia and California

Oval-shaped edible seed of the almond tree