pickle
PIH-kuhl
Pickle (noun) means a cucumber or other vegetable preserved in vinegar or brine. Example: “He added a pickle to his sandwich for extra crunch.”
noun
1
A cucumber or other vegetable preserved in vinegar or brine.
"He added a pickle to his sandwich for extra crunch."
"In Britain, pickle often refers to a sweet, chunky vegetable relish."
2
A difficult or awkward situation.
"Missing the last train left them in quite a pickle."
verb
1
To preserve food in vinegar, brine, or a similar solution.
"She pickles her own onions every autumn."
How to use pickle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA vinegar-preserved food, or an awkward situation you've gotten stuck in.
UK vs US
In the US, "a pickle" usually means a whole pickled cucumber; in the UK, "pickle" more often refers to a thick, sweet-savory relish spread on bread.
Common pairings
in a pickle
pickle jar
pickled onions
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Word forms
- Plural
- pickles
- Third person singular
- pickles
- Past tense
- pickled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He added a _____ to his sandwich for extra crunch.
Etymology
From Middle Dutch/Middle Low German pekel ("brine"), which also gave English words like Scots pikkill.
Related words
Rhymes for pickle
See all rhymes for pickle →Frequently asked questions
What does “pickle” mean?
The word “pickle” means a cucumber or other vegetable preserved in vinegar or brine. In plain terms, a vinegar-preserved food, or an awkward situation you've gotten stuck in.
How do you pronounce “pickle”?
“Pickle” is pronounced PIH-kuhl (/ˈpɪkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pickle” in a sentence?
Here is “pickle” used in a sentence: “He added a pickle to his sandwich for extra crunch.”
What part of speech is “pickle”?
Depending on how it is used, “pickle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pickle” come from?
The word “pickle” comes from German. From Middle Dutch/Middle Low German pekel ("brine"), which also gave English words like Scots pikkill.
Is “pickle” a common word?
“Pickle” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “pickle” have?
“Pickle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a cucumber or other vegetable preserved in vinegar or brine.
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