noun
rutabaga
ROO-tuh-bay-guh
Rutabaga (noun) means a root vegetable, also called a swede, with yellowish flesh and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Example: “She roasted rutabaga alongside carrots and potatoes.”
noun
1
A root vegetable, also called a swede, with yellowish flesh and a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
"She roasted rutabaga alongside carrots and potatoes."
How to use rutabaga
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large, hardy root vegetable related to the turnip and cabbage.
UK vs US
Americans generally say "rutabaga"; in the UK the same vegetable is almost always called a "swede."
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Word forms
- Plural
- rutabagas
Fill the gap
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She roasted _____ alongside carrots and potatoes.
Etymology
Borrowed in the late 1700s from a Swedish dialect word combining rot ("root") and bagge ("lump").
Class of 1700
rutabaga joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Synonyms
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swede
Swedish turnip
Related words
Rhymes for rutabaga
See all rhymes for rutabaga →Frequently asked questions
What does “rutabaga” mean?
The word “rutabaga” means a root vegetable, also called a swede, with yellowish flesh and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. In plain terms, a large, hardy root vegetable related to the turnip and cabbage.
How do you pronounce “rutabaga”?
“Rutabaga” is pronounced ROO-tuh-bay-guh (/ˈɹutəˌbeɪɡə/ in IPA).
How do you use “rutabaga” in a sentence?
Here is “rutabaga” used in a sentence: “She roasted rutabaga alongside carrots and potatoes.”
What is another word for “rutabaga”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rutabaga” include swede and Swedish turnip.
What part of speech is “rutabaga”?
“Rutabaga” is a noun.
Where does the word “rutabaga” come from?
The word “rutabaga” dates back to around 1700 and comes from Swedish. Borrowed in the late 1700s from a Swedish dialect word combining rot ("root") and bagge ("lump").
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