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noun

pumpernickel

PUHMP-nihkl
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Pumpernickel (noun) means a dense, dark German bread made from rye. Example: “The sandwich was made with thick slices of pumpernickel.”

noun
1
A dense, dark German bread made from rye.
"The sandwich was made with thick slices of pumpernickel."
"There was a cut-crystal pitcher full of water, a basket of fruit, and a big loaf of pumpernickel for them to eat." — Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad (2016)

How to use pumpernickel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA dark, dense rye bread from Germany.

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Word forms

Plural
pumpernickels
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The sandwich was made with thick slices of _____.

Etymology

From a Westphalian German word likely combining terms for "fart" and a dismissive name meaning "rascal" — probably an old insult aimed at the bread's heaviness.

Origin: German

black bread

Rhymes for pumpernickel

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Frequently asked questions

What does “pumpernickel” mean?
The word “pumpernickel” means a dense, dark German bread made from rye. In plain terms, a dark, dense rye bread from Germany.
How do you pronounce “pumpernickel”?
“Pumpernickel” is pronounced PUHMP-nihkl (/ˈpʌmpɚˌnɪkl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “pumpernickel” in a sentence?
Here is “pumpernickel” used in a sentence: “The sandwich was made with thick slices of pumpernickel.”
What part of speech is “pumpernickel”?
“Pumpernickel” is a noun.
Where does the word “pumpernickel” come from?
The word “pumpernickel” comes from German. From a Westphalian German word likely combining terms for "fart" and a dismissive name meaning "rascal" — probably an old insult aimed at the bread's heaviness.

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