green goddess: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Culinary, Literary
Quick answer
What does “green goddess” mean?
A salad dressing made from herbs, anchovies, and other savory ingredients, typically creamy and green in colour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A salad dressing made from herbs, anchovies, and other savory ingredients, typically creamy and green in colour.
A cocktail made with green crème de menthe, pineapple juice, and sometimes vodka or gin. Also, a term of literary praise for a woman, especially one associated with nature or fertility.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The salad dressing is more widely known in the US, often associated with a specific restaurant origin. In the UK, the term is less common and may be recognized primarily as an American import or from menus in American-style restaurants.
Connotations
US: Primarily a culinary term for a creamy, herb-based dressing. UK: May be perceived as an exotic or specifically American menu item.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English, particularly in culinary contexts. Very low frequency in general British English.
Grammar
How to Use “green goddess” in a Sentence
[Noun] + with + green goddess (dressing)a dollop of green goddessdrizzled with green goddessVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “green goddess” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The salad had a lovely green-goddess flavour.
- She ordered the green goddess bowl.
American English
- I'm craving a green goddess salad.
- Try the chicken with green goddess sauce.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the food and beverage industry (e.g., 'We're launching a new line of green goddess dressings').
Academic
Virtually non-existent, except in historical or cultural studies of food.
Everyday
Primarily used when discussing food, recipes, or ordering in restaurants.
Technical
Used in culinary arts for a specific type of salad dressing or cocktail.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “green goddess”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “green goddess”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “green goddess”
- Using it as a general term for any green sauce (e.g., pesto, guacamole).
- Capitalising it when not referring to a branded product (usually lowercase).
- Assuming it refers to a person in modern conversation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is typically lowercase ('green goddess dressing') unless it's a formal brand name or a specific title (e.g., 'Green Goddess' cocktail on a menu).
Historically and poetically, yes, as a complimentary term for a woman associated with nature. In modern everyday English, this usage is very rare and likely to be misunderstood.
A combination of green herbs, such as parsley, chives, tarragon, and sometimes spinach or avocado, blended into a creamy base (like mayonnaise or yoghurt).
Traditional recipes often contain anchovies. However, many modern store-bought or adapted recipes omit them, so it depends on the specific recipe. Vegan versions use plant-based yoghurt or mayonnaise.
A salad dressing made from herbs, anchovies, and other savory ingredients, typically creamy and green in colour.
Green goddess is usually informal, culinary, literary in register.
Green goddess: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡriːn ˈɡɒd.ɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡriːn ˈɡɑː.dɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dressed to the nines like a green goddess (rare, poetic).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a STATUE of a goddess in a garden, but she's made of fresh green HERBS and you can pour her over a SALAD.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS A DEITY (the 'goddess' bestows flavour).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'green goddess' MOST commonly used today?