borscht
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of borscht
1880–85; < Yiddish borsht; compare Ukrainian, Byelorussian, Russian borshch soup with red beets as ingredient; or directly < East Slavic
Explanation
Borscht is a sour soup that's common in Eastern Europe. Most borscht is made with beets and is bright red. If you love Russian cuisine, you'll say "da" to a bowl of borscht. The beet-flavored borscht that most Americans are familiar with comes from Ukraine, and is traditionally served with sour cream. There are many variations, including a cold borscht and borscht made from different meats and vegetables. In Russia, Poland, and other Eastern European countries, borscht simply means "sour soup," and the word comes from the Russian borshch, "cow parsnip."
Vocabulary lists containing borscht
World Cuisine - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
World Cuisine - Middle School and High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Russia - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When it comes to soup, think of beet-centric borscht, ice-cold gazpacho with lump crab meat on top, fruit or yogurt-based soups.
From Salon • May 30, 2025
Grocery stores sell sauerkraut, borscht and blinis with cottage cheese.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2025
There’s a heavy lean on traditional Ukrainian recipes passed down from Kravchuk’s mother, like classic borscht and pierogies.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 16, 2023
But set against a duet of wildly leaping figures, it all produced a dazzling novelty that also reinvigorated a vintage form; the borscht belt never sounded so endearingly strange.
From New York Times • Jun. 16, 2023
Zorya Vechernyaya looked over his shoulder, tutted, and removed the wooden borscht bowls.
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
