coleslaw

American  

[kohl-slaw] / ˈkoʊlˌslɔ /

noun

1. a salad of finely sliced or chopped raw cabbage, usually moistened with a mayonnaise dressing.

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coleslaw British  

/ ˈkəʊlˌslɔː /

noun

1. a salad of shredded cabbage, mayonnaise, carrots, onions, etc

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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

Example Sentences

It comes with rye bread, sliced Emmental cheese, coleslaw, Russian dressing and Raye’s Cranberry Mustard.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 15, 2025

But to call it spicy coleslaw is not quite right either.

From New York Times • May 18, 2024

In addition to yogurt, Dandrea-Russert points to salad dressings as a big culprit when it comes to hidden sugars, while Malkhoff-Cohen lists other common offenders: pasta sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce, cereal, coleslaw and dried fruit.

From Salon • Dec. 26, 2023

Fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw and cornbread from Johnny Rebs’ True South.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2023

He was wearing a tank top, and we saw he had coleslaw juice dripping from his armpit hair.

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling

Related Words

• sauerkraut