coleslaw
Americannoun
noun
Usage
What is coleslaw? Coleslaw is a cold salad traditionally made from sliced or chopped raw cabbage mixed with a dressing made with mayonnaise or vinegar. It often includes other seasonings and ingredients, such as onions, carrots, or apples. The word slaw can be used to mean the same thing. Sometimes, slaw is used to refer to a similar cold salad that does not include cabbage, such as carrot slaw. Coleslaw is most commonly served as a side dish, such as for barbecue, or a topping, such as for sandwiches. In the U. S., it’s associated with cookouts and picnics and known as a common side dish at some restaurants. Example: My mom makes a tasty coleslaw that includes carrots and onions.
Etymology
Origin of coleslaw
1785–95; < Dutch koolsla, equivalent to kool cabbage, cole + sla, contraction of salade salad
Explanation
Coleslaw is a salad or side dish made of shredded cabbage and sometimes other shredded vegetables. Coleslaw is often served on the side with fried fish, barbecued meat, or a sandwich. Most coleslaw is made creamy with the addition of mayonnaise, or dressed with oil and vinegar. You can add shredded carrots, onions, peppers, red cabbage, or other vegetables to coleslaw, and season it with various herbs and spices. Coleslaw is an American English word from the 18th century, based on the Dutch koolsla, combining kool, "cabbage," and sla, "salad."
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.
The limited-time offering is also topped with barbecue sauce, coleslaw and pickles.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026
Used for lactation suppression, nutrition, a cute hat or coleslaw.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
It comes with rye bread, sliced Emmental cheese, coleslaw, Russian dressing and Raye’s Cranberry Mustard.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 15, 2025
Photos posted on X, formerly Twitter, showed beef sandwiches, creamed corn, coleslaw, and "big pork chops", in the words of Senator John Thune.
From BBC • Nov. 30, 2023
There were trays with spare ribs, coleslaw, sausage, and, of course, hot dogs since it was a ball game.
From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson
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.
