noun

dumpling

DUHMP-lihng

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Dumpling (noun) means a small piece of dough, often filled, that is boiled, steamed, or added to a stew. Example: “She dropped fluffy dumplings into the simmering stew.”

noun

A small piece of dough, often filled, that is boiled, steamed, or added to a stew.

"She dropped fluffy dumplings into the simmering stew."

"They ordered a plate of pork dumplings at the dim sum restaurant."

(informal) A term of affection, often for a small child.

""Come here, you little dumpling," she said, scooping up the toddler."

How to use dumpling

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA ball of dough, plain or filled, cooked in a stew or steamed on its own; also used as an affectionate nickname.

Common pairings

steamed dumpling dumpling soup a batch of dumplings

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: dumplings

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She dropped fluffy _____ into the simmering stew.

Etymology

A folk word, first attested in c. 1600s, apparently from a Norfolk (East Anglian) dialect, of uncertain origin: * perhaps from some Low German word (compare dümpeln (“bobbing up and down”)), * or from the rare dialectal adjective dump (“lump, of the consistency of dough”) (first attested in the late 1800s), + -ling (diminutive suffix), although dumpling is recorded much earlier. However, compare dumpy (“short and stout”).

Synonyms

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dumplings

Frequently asked questions

What does “dumpling” mean?

The word “dumpling” means a small piece of dough, often filled, that is boiled, steamed, or added to a stew. In plain terms, a ball of dough, plain or filled, cooked in a stew or steamed on its own; also used as an affectionate nickname.

How do you pronounce “dumpling”?

“Dumpling” is pronounced DUHMP-lihng (/ˈdʌmp.lɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “dumpling” in a sentence?

Here is “dumpling” used in a sentence: “She dropped fluffy dumplings into the simmering stew.”

What part of speech is “dumpling”?

“Dumpling” is a noun.

How many meanings does “dumpling” have?

“Dumpling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small piece of dough, often filled, that is boiled, steamed, or added to a stew.