celeriac: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal culinary, gardening, and produce contexts.
Quick answer
What does “celeriac” mean?
A variety of celery cultivated for its edible, knobby, turnip-like root, which has a celery-like flavour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A variety of celery cultivated for its edible, knobby, turnip-like root, which has a celery-like flavour.
The thick, bulbous, aromatic root vegetable of Apium graveolens var. rapaceum, used primarily in cooking for its distinct flavour, often raw in salads or cooked in soups and stews.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties. In US grocery stores, it is sometimes labelled 'celery root'.
Connotations
In both regions, it connotes gourmet or rustic European cooking. Slightly more common in UK/EU cuisine.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both varieties, familiar mainly to cooks, gardeners, and food enthusiasts.
Grammar
How to Use “celeriac” in a Sentence
[verb] + celeriac: peel, grate, roast, mash, diceVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in agricultural reports or specialty food import/export contexts.
Academic
Used in botanical, horticultural, or culinary science texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing recipes, shopping for specific vegetables, or in gardening.
Technical
Precise botanical term for Apium graveolens var. rapaceum.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “celeriac”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “celeriac”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “celeriac”
- Pronouncing it /ˈsel.ər.i.æk/ (SEL-uh-ri-ak) instead of /səˈler.i.æk/ (suh-LEH-ri-ak).
- Using 'celeriac' to refer to the green stalks of common celery.
- Confusing it with corms like turnip or kohlrabi.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They are different cultivars of the same species (Apium graveolens). Celeriac is grown for its large, edible root, while common celery is grown for its stalks and leaves.
Yes, it is commonly eaten raw when grated or julienned, as in the French dish 'céleri rémoulade'.
It has a pronounced celery flavour, but earthier, nuttier, and slightly sweeter than celery stalks.
The tough, knobby outer skin must be peeled off with a sharp knife. The inner flesh can then be grated, sliced, diced, or cooked whole.
A variety of celery cultivated for its edible, knobby, turnip-like root, which has a celery-like flavour.
Celeriac is usually formal culinary, gardening, and produce contexts. in register.
Celeriac: in British English it is pronounced /səˈler.i.æk/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˈler.i.æk/ or /səˈlɪr.i.æk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CELERIAC' = CELERY + (root as in) ARCTIC turnip. It's a celery that acts like a root veg.
Conceptual Metaphor
ROOT IS A KNOB / BRAIN (due to its gnarly, convoluted shape).
Practice
Quiz
What is celeriac?