noun
sorrel
SO-ruhl
Sorrel (noun) means a leafy plant (genus Rumex) with a sharp, sour taste, sometimes used in salads or soups. Example: “The soup was flavored with fresh sorrel from the garden.”
noun
1
A leafy plant (genus Rumex) with a sharp, sour taste, sometimes used in salads or soups.
"The soup was flavored with fresh sorrel from the garden."
2
A reddish-brown color, especially describing the coat of a horse.
"The farmer rode a sorrel mare into town."
How to use sorrel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a tangy salad plant or a reddish-brown horse color.
Common pairings
sorrel soup
a sorrel horse
wild sorrel
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Word forms
- Plural
- sorrels
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The soup was flavored with fresh _____ from the garden.
Etymology
From Old French sorel, related to "sour" — a nod to the plant's tart leaves.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “sorrel” mean?
The word “sorrel” means a leafy plant (genus Rumex) with a sharp, sour taste, sometimes used in salads or soups. In plain terms, either a tangy salad plant or a reddish-brown horse color.
How do you pronounce “sorrel”?
“Sorrel” is pronounced SO-ruhl (/ˈsɔɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “sorrel” in a sentence?
Here is “sorrel” used in a sentence: “The soup was flavored with fresh sorrel from the garden.”
What part of speech is “sorrel”?
“Sorrel” is a noun.
Where does the word “sorrel” come from?
The word “sorrel” comes from Old French. From Old French sorel, related to "sour" — a nod to the plant's tart leaves.
How many meanings does “sorrel” have?
“Sorrel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a leafy plant (genus Rumex) with a sharp, sour taste, sometimes used in salads or soups.
