noun
sarsaparilla
sahs-puh-RIH-luh
Sarsaparilla (noun) means a tropical vine with fragrant roots, traditionally used to flavour drinks and folk remedies. Example: “The roots of sarsaparilla were once brewed as a tonic.”
noun
1
A tropical vine with fragrant roots, traditionally used to flavour drinks and folk remedies.
"The roots of sarsaparilla were once brewed as a tonic."
2
A sweet, root-flavoured soft drink similar to root beer.
"Say, friend, you got any more of that good sarsaparilla?"
— Joel and Ethan Coen, The Big Lebowski (motion picture) (1998)
"He ordered a cold glass of sarsaparilla at the old-fashioned soda counter."
"Many root teas taste delightful and the old American drink, sarsaparilla, was made on the lines of a decoction, while its pleasant taste was known by most of Victorian Britain."
— Jill Davies, A Garden of Miracles (1985)
How to use sarsaparilla
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA plant used to flavour an old-fashioned soft drink similar to root beer.
Common pairings
sarsaparilla root
glass of sarsaparilla
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Word forms
- Plural
- sarsaparillas
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The roots of _____ were once brewed as a tonic.
Etymology
From Spanish "zarzaparrilla," likely combining a Basque-derived word for "bramble" with "parrilla" ("little vine").
Rhymes for sarsaparilla
See all rhymes for sarsaparilla →Frequently asked questions
What does “sarsaparilla” mean?
The word “sarsaparilla” means a tropical vine with fragrant roots, traditionally used to flavour drinks and folk remedies. In plain terms, a plant used to flavour an old-fashioned soft drink similar to root beer.
How do you pronounce “sarsaparilla”?
“Sarsaparilla” is pronounced sahs-puh-RIH-luh (/ˌsæspəˈɹɪlə/ in IPA).
How do you use “sarsaparilla” in a sentence?
Here is “sarsaparilla” used in a sentence: “The roots of sarsaparilla were once brewed as a tonic.”
What part of speech is “sarsaparilla”?
“Sarsaparilla” is a noun.
Where does the word “sarsaparilla” come from?
The word “sarsaparilla” comes from Spanish. From Spanish "zarzaparrilla," likely combining a Basque-derived word for "bramble" with "parrilla" ("little vine").
How many meanings does “sarsaparilla” have?
“Sarsaparilla” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tropical vine with fragrant roots, traditionally used to flavour drinks and folk remedies.
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