collard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Everyday (in relevant culinary contexts); Specialized (in botanical contexts)
Quick answer
What does “collard” mean?
A type of kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) with coarse, dark green leaves that do not form a head, typically cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) with coarse, dark green leaves that do not form a head, typically cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
The term also appears as part of the compound 'collard greens', which refers to the leaves of this plant prepared as a food, particularly associated with Southern US cuisine and soul food.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The plant and dish are known in the UK, but are far less common and not part of mainstream culinary tradition. In the US, particularly the Southern states, 'collard greens' are a staple dish with cultural significance.
Connotations
In American English, strongly associated with Southern cuisine, soul food, and traditional cooking (often with smoked meats). In British English, it's seen as an unusual or specialty vegetable with little cultural resonance.
Frequency
High frequency in specific American regional/cultural contexts; very low frequency in British English, where 'kale' is the more common general term for similar leafy greens.
Grammar
How to Use “collard” in a Sentence
'collard greens' as a direct object (e.g., 'cook collard greens')'collard' as a modifier (e.g., 'collard plant', 'collard seeds')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “collard” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The collard plant is quite hardy in cooler climates.
- They sell collard seeds at the garden centre.
American English
- She planted a collard green patch in her backyard.
- The recipe calls for collard leaves, not spinach.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of agriculture, produce sales, or food service.
Academic
Used in botanical or agricultural texts classifying Brassica varieties.
Everyday
Used in culinary contexts, recipes, and discussions of Southern US food.
Technical
Precise taxonomic designation for a cultivar group of Brassica oleracea.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “collard”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “collard”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “collard”
- Using 'collard' as a countable noun (e.g., 'I bought three collards' is unnatural; use 'three bunches of collard greens').
- Confusing 'collard' with 'collared' (as in collared shirt).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related but different cultivars. Collards are a type of kale (specifically, a form of Brassica oleracea), but they have larger, flatter, and smoother leaves than the curly kale commonly seen in supermarkets.
They are typically tough and require cooking. Common methods include braising, simmering, or steaming, often for a long time with seasoned broth, smoked meats (like ham hocks or bacon), vinegar, or chilli flakes to tenderise them and add flavour.
No, 'collard' is not used as a verb in standard English. It functions almost exclusively as a noun (in 'collard greens') or as an attributive noun/adjective (e.g., 'collard plant').
The plant is highly tolerant of heat and frost, thriving in the Southern climate. It became a dietary staple for enslaved Africans and their descendants, who developed iconic slow-cooked recipes, embedding it deeply into Southern and soul food traditions.
A type of kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) with coarse, dark green leaves that do not form a head, typically cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Collard is usually everyday (in relevant culinary contexts); specialized (in botanical contexts) in register.
Collard: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒl.əd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.lɚd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COLLAR of thick, dark green leaves around the stem of the plant: COLLARD.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often metaphorically associated with Southern comfort, tradition, and hearty, rustic cooking.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most typical culinary form in which 'collard' is used?