noun

ramsons

RAM-suhnz

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Ramsons (noun) means a wild relative of chives, Allium ursinum, with edible leaves and roots and a strong garlic smell. Example: “We picked ramsons in the woods to make a pesto.”

noun

A wild relative of chives, Allium ursinum, with edible leaves and roots and a strong garlic smell.

"We picked ramsons in the woods to make a pesto."

"The path was lined with ramsons, their white flowers carpeting the ground."

"Ramsons have a sharper flavour than the garlic you buy in shops."

How to use ramsons

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA wild, garlic-smelling woodland plant also known as wild garlic.

When to use it

It is a plain, everyday word most familiar to foragers and cooks.

Memory tip

Ramsons is normally used in this plural form (the singular ramson is rare) and takes a plural verb, e.g. "the ramsons are in flower."

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

ransom →

Common pairings

forage for ramsons ramsons growing in the woodland a ramsons pesto

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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 “ramsons” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

We picked _____ in the woods to make a pesto.

Etymology

The word developed from Middle English forms such as ramsons and ramson, which were originally plural forms of a word meaning wild garlic. That in turn came from Old English hramsa, tracing back through Proto-Germanic to a Proto-Indo-European root for wild garlic or onion.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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wild garlic buckram bear garlic

Frequently asked questions

What is ramsons?

It is a wild plant, Allium ursinum, related to chives, with edible leaves and roots and a strong garlicky smell.

Is ramsons the same as wild garlic?

Yes, wild garlic is the common everyday name for the same plant.

Can you eat ramsons?

Yes, its leaves and roots are edible and often used in cooking such as pesto or soup.

What is the meaning of ramsons?

"ramsons" (noun) means a wild relative of chives, Allium ursinum, with edible leaves and roots and a strong garlic smell.