noun

kohlrabi

kohl-RAB-ee

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Kohlrabi (noun) means Kohlrabi is a type of cabbage grown for its round, turnip-shaped edible stem. Example: “She roasted the kohlrabi with a little olive oil and salt.”

noun

Kohlrabi is a type of cabbage grown for its round, turnip-shaped edible stem.

"She roasted the kohlrabi with a little olive oil and salt."

"Kohlrabi can be eaten raw, sliced thin into a salad."

"The allotment produced more kohlrabis than we could use."

How to use kohlrabi

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishKohlrabi is a cabbage-family vegetable with a round stem you cook or eat raw like a turnip.

When to use it

It is a neutral, everyday word used in cooking and gardening contexts.

Memory tip

The spelling keeps its German roots, so the silent h in kohl can trip learners up when writing it.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

raw kohlrabi kohlrabi salad roasted kohlrabi kohlrabi stem

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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”.

Test yourself on “kohlrabi” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She roasted the _____ with a little olive oil and salt.

Etymology

Kohlrabi was borrowed into English from German Kohlrabi, which combines Kohl, meaning cabbage, with a word taken from Italian for turnips. The Italian phrase behind it referred to a cabbage variety with a turnip-like form, which is exactly what the vegetable looks like.

Origin: German

Rhymes for kohlrabi

Abi gabi wasabi Punjabi

See all rhymes for kohlrabi →

Frequently asked questions

What part of the kohlrabi plant do you eat?

You eat the swollen stem, which sits above the ground and looks similar to a turnip.

Is kohlrabi a type of cabbage?

Yes, it is a variety of Brassica oleracea, the same species as cabbage, but bred for its bulbous stem rather than its leaves.

Can kohlrabi be eaten raw?

Yes, its firm, crisp flesh can be eaten raw, often sliced or grated into salads, as well as cooked.

What is the meaning of kohlrabi?

"kohlrabi" (noun) means kohlrabi is a type of cabbage grown for its round, turnip-shaped edible stem.