Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

pickle

1

[pik-uhl]

noun

  1. a cucumber that has been preserved in brine, vinegar, or the like.

  2. Often pickles any other vegetable, as cauliflower, celery, etc., preserved in vinegar and eaten as a relish.

  3. something preserved in a brine or marinade.

  4. a liquid usually prepared with salt or vinegar for preserving or flavoring fish, meat, vegetables, etc.; brine or marinade.

  5. Metallurgy.an acid or other chemical solution in which metal objects are dipped to remove oxide scale or other adhering substances.

  6. Informal.a troublesome or awkward situation; predicament.

    I was in a pickle after the check bounced.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,
  7. Informal.a sour, disagreeable person.



verb (used with object)

pickled, pickling 
  1. to preserve or steep in brine or other liquid.

  2. to treat with a chemical solution, as for the purpose of cleaning.

  3. to give a pale, streaked finish to (wood) by applying and partly removing paint or by bleaching, as to give an appearance of age.

  4. Slang.to store; prepare for long-range storage.

    Let's pickle these old cars for a few years.

pickle

2

[pik-uhl]

noun

Scot. and North England.
  1. a single grain or kernel, as of barley or corn.

  2. a small amount; a little.

pickle

/ ˈɪə /

noun

  1. (often plural) vegetables, such as cauliflowers, onions, etc, preserved in vinegar, brine, etc

  2. any food preserved in this way

  3. a liquid or marinade, such as spiced vinegar, for preserving vegetables, meat, fish, etc

  4. a cucumber that has been preserved and flavoured in a pickling solution, such as brine or vinegar

  5. informalan awkward or difficult situation

    to be in a pickle

  6. informala mischievous child

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to preserve in a pickling liquid

  2. to immerse (a metallic object) in a liquid, such as an acid, to remove surface scale

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • ˈ辱 noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of pickle1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English pikel, pikkel “spicy sauce or gravy,” from Middle Dutch, Middle Low German pekel(e), peeckel “brine, pickle”

Origin of pickle2

First recorded in 1545–55; of uncertain origin; perhaps noun use of pickle “to take tiny bits of food in eating,” frequentative of pick 1; -le
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of pickle1

C14: perhaps from Middle Dutch pekel; related to German ö brine
Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

see in a fix (pickle).
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

TikTok is a place where food trends go viral - from the pickle challenge which involved eating a hot pickle wrapped in a fruit roll-up - to Dubai chocolate which sparked a shopping frenzy.

From

In quick succession, he downed large jars of pickle juice, hot dog water, creamed corn and hot sauce.

From

Some also swear by cold meats like cold roast beef, chilled or cured salmon and marinated or pickled raw vegetables.

From

Presented in a tray lined with greenery, it was designed to resemble mushrooms growing from the forest floor, with pomme purée, black truffle, potato “soil,” and pickled hon-shimeji.

From

Here, her incorrigible Eleanor barks at a grocery store clerk to fetch the kosher pickles and cackles with glee informing her grandson that his mother’s high school nickname was the “class mattress.”

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


pickingspickleball