dill pickle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “dill pickle” mean?
A cucumber that has been preserved and flavoured in a brine or vinegar solution with dill weed and spices.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cucumber that has been preserved and flavoured in a brine or vinegar solution with dill weed and spices.
Informally, can refer to a difficult or troublesome situation (similar to "in a pickle"), though this is more general to the word "pickle" than the specific compound "dill pickle".
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in the UK but is less common than generic "pickled cucumber" or "gherkin". In the US, it is a standard, highly specific term for the most common type of cucumber pickle.
Connotations
In the US, strongly associated with delis, burgers, and sandwiches. In the UK, may be seen as a specific American-style pickle.
Frequency
High frequency in American English; low-to-medium frequency in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “dill pickle” in a Sentence
[verb] a dill pickle: eat, slice, make, buy, serveVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dill pickle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A as a verb
American English
- N/A as a verb
adverb
British English
- N/A as an adverb
American English
- N/A as an adverb
adjective
British English
- N/A as a standalone adjective. Can be used attributively: 'a dill pickle spear'.
American English
- N/A as a standalone adjective. Can be used attributively: 'dill pickle chips'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of food manufacturing, retail, and restaurant menus.
Academic
Rare, except in historical or cultural studies of food.
Everyday
Common in discussions of food, cooking, and dining.
Technical
Used in culinary arts and food science to specify the preparation method and flavouring.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dill pickle”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dill pickle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dill pickle”
- Using 'dill pickle' to refer to any pickled vegetable (it specifically requires a cucumber).
- Misspelling as 'dill pickel'.
- Capitalising as if it's a brand name (unless referring to a specific brand).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A dill pickle is a cucumber pickled with dill. A gherkin is often a smaller variety of cucumber, and in the UK, 'gherkin' is the common term for any small pickled cucumber, which may or may not be dill-flavoured.
Yes, they are commonly eaten as a snack, a side dish, or a condiment.
'Kosher-style' dill pickles refer to a specific preparation method (garlic and dill, no sugar) associated with New York Jewish delicatessens, not necessarily that they are certified kosher.
It is a two-word open compound noun, though it functions as a single concept. It is not hyphenated.
A cucumber that has been preserved and flavoured in a brine or vinegar solution with dill weed and spices.
Dill pickle is usually informal to neutral in register.
Dill pickle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪl ˌpɪk.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪl ˌpɪk.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In a pickle (general idiom for a difficult situation, not specific to dill pickles)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the herb 'dill' giving its flavour to a 'pickle'. A dill pickle is a pickle that's been dilled.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOURCE DOMAIN: Food / Preservation. TARGET DOMAIN: Can be used metaphorically for something that is preserved in a sharp, tangy, or distinctive state.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary flavouring herb in a dill pickle?