sorrel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/informal for the plant (especially culinary); Specialised (equestrian, fashion) for the colour.
Quick answer
What does “sorrel” mean?
A plant with sour-tasting, arrow-shaped leaves, used in salads and cooking. Also, a light reddish-brown colour, like that of a horse's coat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A plant with sour-tasting, arrow-shaped leaves, used in salads and cooking. Also, a light reddish-brown colour, like that of a horse's coat.
A large herbaceous plant (Rumex acetosa) of the dock family, valued for its tangy flavour; a similar but distinct French sorrel (Rumex scutatus); also, a common name for several plants with sour leaves, such as wood sorrel (Oxalis). When referring to colour, it specifically denotes a shade of light brown with reddish or coppery tones, often used to describe the coats of animals, particularly horses.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical, with no significant regional variation in meaning. However, 'sorrel' as a colour might be slightly more familiar in UK contexts due to historical equestrian terminology.
Connotations
In both regions, the plant connotes fresh, tangy, garden/culinary use. The colour connotes nature, horses, and a classic, somewhat rustic aesthetic.
Frequency
Overall low-frequency word. The plant sense is more frequent than the colour sense in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “sorrel” in a Sentence
sorrel (noun)sorrel (colour adjective)sorrel-coloured (compound adjective)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sorrel” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The farmer owns a beautiful sorrel mare.
- She painted the door a warm, sorrel shade.
American English
- He bought a sorrel quarter horse for ranch work.
- The autumn leaves turned a sorrel brown.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific sectors like gourmet food, herbal products, or equestrian breeding.
Academic
Used in botany, horticulture, culinary arts, and equine studies.
Everyday
Most likely in cooking/gardening conversations or when describing a horse's colour.
Technical
Precise botanical classification or specific coat colour genetics in animals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sorrel”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sorrel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sorrel”
- Mispronouncing it to rhyme with 'quarrel' (/ˈkwɒr.əl/) instead of 'moral'.
- Confusing 'sorrel' (the herb) with 'sorrel' (the colour) in context, leading to ambiguity.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'brown' instead of the specific reddish-copper shade.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word. It is most common in specific contexts like cooking, gardening, or describing horses.
It's best used for natural, earthy reddish-browns, particularly animal coats (horses, cattle), leather, or wood. Using it for synthetic objects (a sorrel plastic chair) might sound odd.
Both are reddish-brown, but a 'bay' horse has a black mane, tail, and lower legs (black points). A 'sorrel' horse has the same colour points as its body (usually red or flaxen). This distinction is more rigid in American equestrian terminology.
Common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is edible in moderation but contains oxalic acid, which can be harmful in very large quantities. It should not be confused with potentially toxic look-alikes.
A plant with sour-tasting, arrow-shaped leaves, used in salads and cooking. Also, a light reddish-brown colour, like that of a horse's coat.
Sorrel is usually formal/informal for the plant (especially culinary); specialised (equestrian, fashion) for the colour. in register.
Sorrel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɒr.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɔːr.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None common. The word is not typically used in idioms.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SORrel is SOuR' - it reminds you of the plant's tart taste. For colour, picture a SORrel horse - a SOft Reddish-brown.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOURNESS IS BRIGHTNESS/TANG (for the plant). NATURAL COLOUR IS EARTHY (for the hue).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'sorrel' LEAST likely to be used?