Aubergine vs. Eggplant — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 19, 2023
"Aubergine" and "Eggplant" refer to the same vegetable, a purple, elongated, and fleshy fruit. "Aubergine" is commonly used in British English, while "Eggplant" is the term used in American English.
Difference Between Aubergine and Eggplant
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Key Differences
"Aubergine" is the term used primarily in British English to describe the vegetable known for its deep purple skin and soft, edible flesh. On the other hand, "Eggplant" is the term used in American English to describe the same vegetable. Both terms refer to the same botanical entity, a member of the nightshade family, known scientifically as Solanum melongena.
The term "Aubergine" has French origins, stemming from the word "aubergine" in French. "Eggplant," however, comes from American English and is thought to be named so because some varieties are white and shaped like an egg. Both terms serve the same function in culinary contexts; they refer to the same ingredient used in a variety of dishes.
In terms of grammar, "Aubergine" and "Eggplant" are both nouns, used to identify this particular vegetable. Both can also be used as adjectives when describing dishes made from this vegetable, such as "aubergine curry" or "eggplant parmesan."
When it comes to usage, the word "Aubergine" is more commonly encountered in European countries and in places where British English is prevalent. Conversely, "Eggplant" is more likely to be heard in the United States and in countries where American English dominates.
Comparison Chart
Origin of Term
French
American
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Common Usage
British English
American English
Botanical Name
Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena
Part of Speech
Noun, Adjective
Noun, Adjective
Example Dishes
Aubergine curry
Eggplant parmesan
Compare with Definitions
Aubergine
A plant with an edible fruit that is botanically a berry.
Aubergine grows well in warm climates.
Eggplant
The American term for what the British call "aubergine."
I need to buy eggplant for the recipe.
Aubergine
The British term for what Americans call "eggplant."
The grocery store had a sale on aubergines.
Eggplant
A staple in Italian-American cuisine, such as in eggplant parmesan.
His favorite dish is eggplant parmesan.
Aubergine
A deep-purple vegetable with a fleshy texture.
She added aubergine to her stir-fry.
Eggplant
A fruit that is actually a berry, botanically speaking.
Eggplant is a berry but is cooked as a vegetable.
Aubergine
An ingredient common in Mediterranean cuisine.
The recipe called for aubergine, olive oil, and garlic.
Eggplant
Eggplant (US, Australia, New Zealand, anglophone Canada), aubergine (UK, Ireland, Quebec, and most of mainland Western Europe) or brinjal (South Asia, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa) is a plant species in the nightshade family Solanaceae. Solanum melongena is grown worldwide for its edible fruit.
Aubergine
A member of the nightshade family.
Aubergine is closely related to tomatoes and peppers.
Eggplant
The purple egg-shaped fruit of a tropical Old World plant, which is eaten as a vegetable; an aubergine.
Aubergine
The purple egg-shaped fruit of a tropical Old World plant, which is eaten as a vegetable.
A puree of aubergine
Eggplant
The large plant of the nightshade family which bears aubergines.
Aubergine
The large plant of the nightshade family which bears aubergines.
Eggplant
A plant (Solanum melongena) native to India, cultivated for its edible, glossy, usually ovoid fruits that are chiefly purple but can be white, yellow, or green.
Aubergine
See eggplant.
Eggplant
A fruit of this plant. Also called aubergine.
Aubergine
(British) An Asian plant, Solanum melongena, cultivated for its edible purple, green, or white ovoid fruit; eggplant.
Eggplant
A blackish purple.
Aubergine
(British) The fruit of this plant, eaten as a vegetable.
Eggplant
The plant Solanum melongena.
Aubergine
(color) A dark purple colour; eggplant.
Eggplant
The edible fruit of the Solanum melongena: an aubergine.
Aubergine
Hairy upright herb native to southeastern Asia but widely cultivated for its large glossy edible fruit commonly used as a vegetable
Eggplant
(North America) A dark purple color, like that of the skin of this fruit.
Aubergine
Egg-shaped vegetable having a shiny skin typically dark purple but occasionally white or yellow
Eggplant
A black person (used mainly by Italian-Americans).
Eggplant
A 180 backside rotated invert in which the front hand is planted on the lip of the halfpipe wall
Eggplant
A plant (Solanum Melongena), of East Indian origin, allied to the tomato, and bearing a large, glossy, edible fruit, shaped somewhat like an egg; mad-apple. It is widely cultivated for its fruit, commonly eaten as a vegetable.
Eggplant
The fruit of the eggplant{1}.
Eggplant
Egg-shaped vegetable having a shiny skin typically dark purple but occasionally white or yellow
Eggplant
Hairy upright herb native to southeastern Asia but widely cultivated for its large glossy edible fruit commonly used as a vegetable
Eggplant
A dark purple, oblong vegetable often used in cooking.
She grilled the eggplant for dinner.
Eggplant
A plant belonging to the Solanum genus.
Eggplant is part of the nightshade family.
Common Curiosities
What is Eggplant?
Eggplant is the American term for a deep-purple vegetable known in Britain as "aubergine."
Are Aubergine and Eggplant the same thing?
Yes, they refer to the same vegetable.
Where did the term Aubergine originate?
The term "Aubergine" originates from French.
Where did the term Eggplant originate?
The term "Eggplant" originates from American English.
What is Aubergine?
Aubergine is the British term for a deep-purple vegetable known in America as "eggplant."
Can Eggplant be used as an adjective?
Yes, as in "eggplant parmesan."
Is Aubergine a common term in the U.S.?
No, "eggplant" is more commonly used in the U.S.
Is Eggplant a common term in the U.K.?
No, "aubergine" is more commonly used in the U.K.
What family does Eggplant belong to?
Eggplant belongs to the nightshade family.
What dishes commonly include Aubergine?
Dishes like aubergine curry, ratatouille, and baba ganoush.
What family does Aubergine belong to?
Aubergine belongs to the nightshade family.
Is Eggplant a fruit or a vegetable?
Botanically, it's a berry but is commonly considered a vegetable.
What dishes commonly include Eggplant?
Dishes like eggplant parmesan, moussaka, and caponata.
Can Aubergine be used as an adjective?
Yes, as in "aubergine curry."
Is Aubergine a fruit or a vegetable?
Botanically, it's a berry but is commonly considered a vegetable.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
