noun
dreidel
DRAYDL
Dreidel (noun) means a small four-sided spinning top marked with Hebrew letters, traditionally spun as part of a Hanukkah game. Example: “The children took turns spinning the dreidel for chocolate coins.”
noun
1
A small four-sided spinning top marked with Hebrew letters, traditionally spun as part of a Hanukkah game.
"Students from the Yeshiva Beth Yehudah School danced in dreidel costumes at a menorah lighting in Detroit on Thursday."
— Jacey Fortin, For Some, the Symbols of Hanukkah Bring Extra Concern This Year (2023)
"The children took turns spinning the dreidel for chocolate coins."
2
The gambling-style game played with this top.
"We played dreidel every night of Hanukkah as kids."
How to use dreidel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA spinning-top toy and game associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
Common pairings
spin the dreidel
play dreidel
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Word forms
- Plural
- dreidels
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The children took turns spinning the _____ for chocolate coins.
Etymology
From Yiddish dreydl, itself linked to a word meaning "to spin or turn."
Rhymes for dreidel
See all rhymes for dreidel →Frequently asked questions
What does “dreidel” mean?
The word “dreidel” means a small four-sided spinning top marked with Hebrew letters, traditionally spun as part of a Hanukkah game. In plain terms, a spinning-top toy and game associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
How do you pronounce “dreidel”?
“Dreidel” is pronounced DRAYDL (/ˈdɹeɪdl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “dreidel” in a sentence?
Here is “dreidel” used in a sentence: “The children took turns spinning the dreidel for chocolate coins.”
What part of speech is “dreidel”?
“Dreidel” is a noun.
Where does the word “dreidel” come from?
The word “dreidel” comes from Yiddish. From Yiddish dreydl, itself linked to a word meaning "to spin or turn.".
How many meanings does “dreidel” have?
“Dreidel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small four-sided spinning top marked with Hebrew letters, traditionally spun as part of a Hanukkah game.
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