Langimage
English

pickle

|pick/le|

B1

/ˈpɪkəl/

preserved cucumber; tricky situation

Etymology
Etymology Information

'pickle' originates from Middle Dutch, specifically the word 'pekel,' where 'pekel' meant 'brine.'

Historical Evolution

'pekel' transformed into the English word 'pickle' through Middle English.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a solution for preserving food,' but over time it evolved to also mean 'a difficult situation.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a cucumber preserved in vinegar, brine, or a similar solution.

I love having a pickle with my sandwich.

Synonyms

Noun 2

a difficult or tricky situation.

I'm in a bit of a pickle with this project deadline.

Synonyms

Verb 1

to preserve food in a solution of salt, vinegar, or similar.

She decided to pickle the vegetables for the winter.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35