sorrel

¹ American  

[sawr-uhl, sor-] / ˈsɔr əl, ˈsɒr- /

noun

1. light reddish-brown.

2. a horse of this color, often with a light-colored mane and tail.

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adjective

1. of the color sorrel.

sorrel ² American  

[sawr-uhl, sor-] / ˈsɔr əl, ˈsɒr- /

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Rumex, of the buckwheat family, having edible acid leaves used in salads, sauces, etc.

2. any of various sour-juiced plants of the genus Oxalis.

3. any of various similar plants.

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sorrel ¹ British  

/ ˈsɒrəl /

noun

1. 1. a light brown to brownish-orange colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a sorrel carpet

2. a horse of this colour

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sorrel ² British  

/ ˈsɒrəl /

noun

1. any of several polygonaceous plants of the genus Rumex, esp R. acetosa, of Eurasia and North America, having acid-tasting leaves used in salads and sauces See also dock 4 sheep sorrel

2. short for wood sorrel

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Etymology

Origin of sorrel¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Old French sorel, equivalent to sor brown (< Germanic ) + -el diminutive suffix; see -elle

Origin of sorrel²

1350–1400; Middle English sorell < Old French surele, equivalent to sur sour (< Germanic; akin to Old High German sūr sour) + -el diminutive suffix; see -elle

Explanation

If you have a reddish-brown horse, you can call it a sorrel. If your favorite riding boots are the same color as your horse, you can describe them as sorrel too. The word sorrel is a homograph with two distinct meanings. It can mean either a reddish brown color (or a horse with that coloring) or any of various plants with sour juice. Both words came via French, and are ultimately from different Germanic roots. The color sorrel comes from sor, "yellowish-brown" in Middle French, while the horse of the same name might more commonly be described as "chestnut."

Example Sentences

The Lee statue’s partner, an imposing 1921 Charlottesville equestrian sculpture of Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson and his famous horse, Little Sorrel, by Charles Keck, was the raw material for Kara Walker’s devastating piece at the Brick.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2025

He has a restaurant in San Francisco called Sorrel and they just got a Michelin star.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2023

Ryan Sorrel, a leader with Black Rainbow, said the demonstrators will return if they don’t see the changes they want.

From Washington Times • Oct. 24, 2020

Mr Yuill stopped paying the rent on his Blackbird Leys flat in November, and housing officers visited his flat in Sorrel Road in January but saw "no concerns for his welfare".

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2016

Sorrel suggested that if Fremantle wanted a good view, he should find a convenient tree.

From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara