Tomatos vs. Tomatoes: The Correct Spellings

When it comes to spelling the plural form of the word describing this commonly consumed fruit, "tomatoes" is correct, while "tomatos" is erroneous. English has a convention where words ending in "o" are often made plural with "-oes" rather than just adding an "s." This is the reason "potatoes" and "tomatoes" are spelled with an "e" before the "s" in their plural forms.

The term "tomato" traces its origins to the Nahuatl word "tomatl." In the 16th century, the tomato was introduced to Europe from the Americas. From its botanical designation as a fruit, in culinary contexts, it's commonly treated as a vegetable. Its singular form is "tomato," and the plural, as aforementioned, is "tomatoes."

A useful mnemonic to remember the spelling is to recall the phrase, "Potatoes and tomatoes both have 'e's before the 's'."

Incorrect: Can you pass me a bowl of fresh tomatos from the garden?

Correct: Can you pass me a bowl of fresh tomatoes from the garden?

Incorrect: She added too many tomatos to the salad.

Correct: She added too many tomatoes to the salad.

Incorrect: How many tomatos do we need for the sauce?

Correct: How many tomatoes do we need for the sauce?

Incorrect: I don't like tomatos in my sandwich.

Correct: I don't like tomatoes in my sandwich.

Incorrect: He mistakenly bought green tomatos instead of red ones.

Correct: He mistakenly bought green tomatoes instead of red ones.

A source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.

A fundamental ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine.

The edible red or yellowish fruit of the nightshade plant, used widely in cooking.

A plant of the nightshade family that produces this fruit.

A shade of red resembling the ripe tomato.

A widely cultivated plant (Solanum lycopersicum syn. Lycopersicon esculentum)in the nightshade family, having edible, fleshy, usually red fruit. The tomato is native to and was first domesticated in northern South America.

The fruit of this plant.

plural of tomato

I love adding cherry tomatoes to my salads.

The recipe calls for two cups of crushed tomatoes.

Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C.

The farmer's market has the best heirloom tomatoes.

We need to pick the tomatoes before they get too ripe.

The tomatoes in the garden are not ready to be picked yet.

Are these tomatoes organic?

My grandmother cans her own tomatoes every summer.

How do you like your tomatoes, sliced or diced?

He prefers his sandwiches without tomatoes.

How many tomatoes do we have left in the fridge?

We forgot to buy tomatoes at the grocery store.

The salad tastes better with sun-dried tomatoes.

She won the prize for the biggest tomatoes at the fair.

I'm making a pasta sauce with fresh tomatoes tonight.

Roasting tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness.

The sauce needs more tomatoes to thicken it up.

Can you dice the tomatoes for the salsa?

You should store tomatoes at room temperature, not in the fridge.

Adding tomatoes to your diet can help improve heart health.

She's allergic to tomatoes, so we need to find an alternative.

The recipe suggests using plum tomatoes for the best flavor.

Tomatoes are technically fruits, not vegetables.

I'm experimenting with growing tomatoes in pots this year.

Let's make a tomato basil soup with these fresh tomatoes.

Expressing strong disapproval or dissatisfaction, especially in a public setting.

To say or do something that is shockingly scandalous or risqué.

Focusing on superficial or unimportant details.

To share the blame or responsibility.

Making a futile effort or a very easy task.

The correct plural form of "tomato" is "tomatoes."

"Tomatos" is considered incorrect because many English words ending in "o" form their plural with "-oes."

Botanically, a tomato is classified as a fruit, but it's commonly treated as a vegetable in culinary contexts.

Tomatoes are versatile and are used in salads, soups, sauces, and many other dishes.

The term "tomato" is derived from the Nahuatl word "tomatl," and the fruit was introduced to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century.

Yes, tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.

The singular form of "tomatoes" is "tomato."

Recall the phrase, "Potatoes and tomatoes both have 'e's before the 's'."

No, "tomatos" is not an accepted spelling for the plural form of "tomato."

English has specific rules for pluralization. Words ending in "o" often add "es" to form the plural, as in "potatoes" and "tomatoes."