snow pea: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral
Quick answer
What does “snow pea” mean?
A variety of pea (Pisum sativum var. saccharatum) eaten whole in its flat, edible pod, with undeveloped seeds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A variety of pea (Pisum sativum var. saccharatum) eaten whole in its flat, edible pod, with undeveloped seeds.
A crisp, green vegetable commonly used in stir-fries, salads, and side dishes, valued for its sweet flavor and tender texture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'mangetout' (from French, meaning 'eat all') is the dominant term for the same vegetable, though 'snow pea' is understood. In American English, 'snow pea' is standard.
Connotations
'Mangetout' may sound more gourmet or formal in a UK context; 'snow pea' is perceived as a standard culinary term in US English.
Frequency
'Snow pea' is high-frequency in US cooking contexts; 'mangetout' is high-frequency in UK contexts. 'Snow pea' is increasingly found in UK supermarkets and recipes.
Grammar
How to Use “snow pea” in a Sentence
[Verb] + snow peas: add, slice, cook, sauté, steam, rinsesnow peas + [Verb]: snow peas wilt, snow peas crisp upAdjective + snow peas: Chinese snow peas, sugar snow peasVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “snow pea” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to top and tail the mangetout before stir-frying.
American English
- Just snow pea those vegetables for a minute to keep them crisp.
adjective
British English
- A mangetout stir-fry is a quick and healthy side dish.
American English
- The snow-pea salad was the highlight of the meal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contexts of food import/export, restaurant supply, and agricultural reports.
Academic
Used in botanical, horticultural, or nutritional science texts discussing legume varieties.
Everyday
Common in home cooking, recipes, grocery shopping, and restaurant menus.
Technical
Used in agriculture (cultivar classification) and culinary arts (preparation techniques).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “snow pea”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “snow pea”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “snow pea”
- Confusing 'snow peas' with 'snap peas' (which have plumper pods). Misspelling as 'snowpea' (should be two words or hyphenated: 'snow-pea').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Snow peas have flat, tender pods with very small peas inside, eaten whole. Snap peas have plumper pods with more developed peas, and the whole pod is also edible but thicker.
Yes, typically. The tough string along the seam (especially the top) should be removed by 'topping and tailing' (snapping off the stem end and pulling down). Many modern varieties are 'stringless'.
Absolutely. They are delicious raw in salads or with dips. Cooking (like quick stir-frying or blanching) is also common.
They refer to the same vegetable. 'Mangetout' is the common term in British and Commonwealth English, borrowed from French. 'Snow pea' is the standard term in American English.
A variety of pea (Pisum sativum var. saccharatum) eaten whole in its flat, edible pod, with undeveloped seeds.
Snow pea is usually neutral in register.
Snow pea: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsnəʊ ˌpiː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsnoʊ ˌpiː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'snow' as hinting at their delicate, almost translucent pods, and 'pea' for their family. They are the 'peas' you can eat whole, like a snowy, crisp package.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRISPINESS/FRESHNESS AS LIGHTNESS (e.g., 'light as snow', 'crisp as a fresh snowfall').
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most commonly used in British English for 'snow pea'?