spring lamb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Everyday, Culinary, Agricultural, Figurative/Literary
Quick answer
What does “spring lamb” mean?
A young sheep, typically less than a year old, that is born in the spring and often slaughtered for its tender meat during that season.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A young sheep, typically less than a year old, that is born in the spring and often slaughtered for its tender meat during that season.
Metaphorically, can refer to someone who is young, innocent, fresh, and inexperienced.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The concept is identical. In the US, 'spring lamb' may be slightly less common in everyday speech due to differing agricultural practices, but the term is fully understood.
Connotations
In the UK, it has stronger traditional and seasonal culinary connotations (e.g., Easter, springtime meals). In both, the figurative use carries the same nuance.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to its prominence in seasonal food culture and traditional farming discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “spring lamb” in a Sentence
[Verb] + spring lamb: raise, buy, sell, roast, serve, marketVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spring lamb” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A for the compound noun. The verb 'lamb' exists (The ewe is lambing this spring).
American English
- N/A for the compound noun. The verb 'lamb' exists (The ewe will lamb in early spring).
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- We enjoyed a lovely spring-lamb roast. (hyphenated when pre-modifying)
American English
- The spring lamb dish was exquisite. (often not hyphenated)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the context of butchery, farming, or restaurant supply chains: 'We need to forecast demand for spring lamb.'
Academic
In agricultural studies or food history: 'The economics of spring lamb production were analysed.'
Everyday
In conversations about food, seasons, or farming: 'Let's get a leg of spring lamb for Sunday lunch.'
Technical
In veterinary or animal husbandry contexts, specifying age and season of birth.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spring lamb”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spring lamb”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spring lamb”
- Using 'spring' as a verb (e.g., 'The lamb will spring' is unrelated).
- Confusing it with 'lamb spring', which is not a standard phrase.
- Using it as an adjective without a hyphen (e.g., 'spring lamb stew' is correct, but 'spring-lamb flavour' might be hyphenated).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. All spring lambs are lambs, but not all lambs are 'spring lambs'. 'Spring lamb' specifically refers to lambs born in the spring and typically slaughtered young in the same season, prized for particularly tender meat.
Yes, but it's a literary or figurative usage. It describes someone who is young, innocent, naive, or new to a situation (e.g., 'He was a spring lamb in the cutthroat corporate world').
In terms of meat, the opposite is 'mutton' (from an older sheep). In terms of the animal's age, an older young sheep might be called a 'hogget' or 'yearling'.
It is understood and used, particularly in culinary and agricultural contexts, but it may have slightly less cultural prominence than in the UK, where it is a strong seasonal food tradition.
A young sheep, typically less than a year old, that is born in the spring and often slaughtered for its tender meat during that season.
Spring lamb is usually everyday, culinary, agricultural, figurative/literary in register.
Spring lamb: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsprɪŋ ˈlæm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsprɪŋ ˈlæm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Rare/Figurative] like a spring lamb (full of youthful energy and innocence)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SPRING (the season of new life) + LAMB (a young sheep). Together, they mean a lamb born in the spring, known for its fresh, tender meat.
Conceptual Metaphor
YOUTH IS A YOUNG ANIMAL (e.g., 'He was a spring lamb in the ruthless world of politics.')
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, calling someone a 'spring lamb' implies they are: