pickle
Pickle (noun) means a cucumber or other vegetable preserved in vinegar or brine. Example: “He added a pickle to his sandwich for extra crunch.”
How to use pickle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA vinegar-preserved food, or an awkward situation you've gotten stuck in.
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.
Word forms
pickled past tense, pickled past tense, pickles plural, pickles plural, Pickles plural, pickles singular, pickles singular
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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