borscht

American  

[bawrsht] / bɔrʃt /

Also borsch

noun

1. any of various eastern European soups made with beets, cabbage, potatoes, or other vegetables and served hot or chilled, often with sour cream.

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borscht British  

/ bɔːʃt, bɔːʃtʃ, bɔːʃ /

noun

1. a Russian and Polish soup based on beetroot

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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."

Example Sentences

Think fragrant chili oil, Hong Kong borscht, and more.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2024

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

As both magician and mnemonist, he was a direct, gleeful scion of the 19th-century midway pitchman and the 20th-century borscht belt tummler.

From New York Times • Apr. 7, 2023

Like the borscht belt ruin, its decay had become its allure.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2023

When she had licked the last bloodred morsels of borscht from her whiskers, the wolf swept her shining eyes ’round the room.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• bouillon
• chowder
• porridge
• puree