English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

pumpernickel

PUHMP-nihkl

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."

How to use pumpernickel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA dark, dense rye bread from Germany.

Word forms

pumpernickels plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “pumpernickel” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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

See all rhymes for pumpernickel →

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.

Featured in

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial