fructose

noun

fruc·​tose ˈfrək-ˌtōs  ˈfrük-  ˈfru̇k- 

-ˌtōz

1

: a crystalline sugar C₆H₁₂O₆ sweeter and more soluble than glucose

2

: the very sweet levorotatory d-form of fructose that occurs especially in fruit juices and honey

called also fruit sugar, levulose

Examples of fructose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Natural sugars include lactose in dairy products or fructose in fruits and fruit products. — Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 21 Sep. 2026

The changes follow a move made in 2025; In-N-Out uses real sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup in its ketchup found in packets and dispensers, according to the burger chain. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Such a change — which Kessler said FDA has the authority to do — would put the onus on food makers to prove refined carbs and sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup are OK for human consumption. — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 10 Aug. 2026

Not to mention, the jams and spreads are always made with simple ingredients and do not contain high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives, or artificial additives. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 31 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin frūctus fruit entry 1 + -ose entry 2

Note: The term was apparently introduced by the British chemist William Allen Miller (1817-70) in Elements of Chemistry: Theoretical and Practical, Part III, Organic Chemistry (London, 1857), p. 57.

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fructose

• arkose
• engross
• faroese
• fucose
• gatos
• glucose
• jocose
• morose
• plateaus
• spinose
• vadose
• adios

Kids Definition

fructose

noun

fruc·​tose ˈfrək-ˌtōs  ˈfru̇k- 

: a very sweet sugar that dissolves easily and occurs especially in fruit juices and honey

Medical Definition

fructose

noun

fruc·​tose ˈfrək-ˌtōs  ˈfrük-  ˈfru̇k- 

-ˌtōz

1

: an optically active sugar C₆H₁₂O₆ that differs from glucose in having a ketonic rather than an aldehydic carbonyl group

2

: the very sweet soluble levorotatory D-form of fructose that occurs especially in fruit juices and honey

called also levulose