dill: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal (for the 'silly person' meaning); Neutral (for the herb meaning).
Quick answer
What does “dill” mean?
A herb with feathery leaves and yellow flowers, used for flavouring pickles and other foods.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A herb with feathery leaves and yellow flowers, used for flavouring pickles and other foods.
A foolish or silly person (informal, chiefly Australian/NZ).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The herb meaning is identical. The informal meaning 'silly person' is almost exclusively Australian and New Zealand English; it is very rare in British English and virtually unknown in American English.
Connotations
In culinary contexts, neutral. In Aus/NZ informal use, mildly derogatory but often affectionate.
Frequency
As a herb, medium-low frequency in both varieties. As 'silly person', high frequency in Aus/NZ, near-zero elsewhere.
Grammar
How to Use “dill” in a Sentence
[dill] + [noun] (e.g., dill pickle)[verb] + [with dill] (e.g., garnish with dill)[noun] + [of dill] (e.g., a sprig of dill)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dill” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb use]
American English
- [No standard verb use]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb use]
American English
- [No adverb use]
adjective
British English
- [Rarely used adjectivally. Possible: 'dill-flavoured']
American English
- 'dill pickle' (compound noun, not a pure adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in food industry, agriculture, and retail (e.g., 'dill production', 'dill imports').
Academic
Used in botany, culinary arts, and historical texts on herb usage.
Everyday
Common in cooking, gardening, and grocery shopping contexts.
Technical
Used in horticulture, food science, and pharmacology (for its essential oil).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dill”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dill”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dill”
- Misspelling as 'dil'. Using the slang meaning 'silly person' in international contexts where it is not understood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'dill weed' typically refers to the leafy part of the dill plant, as opposed to the seeds.
Yes, when referring to the herb. The informal meaning ('silly person') should be avoided in formal contexts.
They are different but related plants. Dill has feathery, delicate leaves and a grassy, slightly tangy flavour. Fennel has a bulbous base and a stronger anise/licorice taste.
It's likely a shortening of the old English slang 'dilly', meaning foolish or absurd, which itself may come from 'daffodil' (a simple flower).
A herb with feathery leaves and yellow flowers, used for flavouring pickles and other foods.
Dill: in British English it is pronounced /dɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with 'dill'. Aus/NZ: 'a bit of a dill']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DILL adds flavour to a DILL pickle. Think of the 'ill' in dill - a silly person might do something that makes you feel ill.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOLISHNESS IS A WEAK/INSIGNIFICANT HERB (in Aus/NZ slang: 'He's a bit of a dill').
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'dill' commonly used to mean a silly person?