dreidel

American  

[drayd-l] / ˈdreɪd l /

noun

• dreidels,
  plural
• dreidel
  plural

1. a four-sided top bearing the Hebrew letters nun, gimel, he, and shin, one on each side, used chiefly in a children's game traditionally played on the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• dreidel
  plural
• dreidels
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of dreidel

1925–30; < Yiddish dreydl, equivalent to drey ( en ) to rotate, turn (< Middle High German dræ ( je ) n, dræhen; compare G. drehen ) + -dl noun suffix

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Explanation

One fun Hanukkah tradition is playing with a dreidel, a small top with Hebrew letters on each of its four sides. Dreidel is also the name of the game played with this kind of top — and winners are often rewarded with the most chocolate coins. For generations, a common prize for being the luckiest dreidel spinner has been actual money, coins referred to as Hanukkah gelt. Candy makers invented the newer tradition of chocolate versions covered in gold foil. To play with a dreidel, you spin it, and depending which side lands facing up, you either lose game pieces or take them from the pot in the center. The Yiddish root, dreyen, means "to turn."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dreidel dreidels

We would light the candles, spin the dreidel, eat the latkes, sing the songs.

From Salon ● Dec. 14, 2023

The arrival of Hanukkah also brought joy, with its mix of fried foods — potato latkes and doughnuts — plus candles, gifts and the spinning-top game dreidel.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 18, 2022

Jewish people around the world Sunday will mark the first of eight nights of Hanukkah – lighting menorahs, spinning the dreidel, exchanging gifts and, of course, watching TV.

From Fox News ● Nov. 28, 2021

As she expanded her business, she focused on Hanukkah, making neon dreidel leggings and a cold-shoulder dreidel top that she wore to get her coronavirus booster shot.

From New York Times ● Nov. 26, 2021

My shoulders are as high as my ears as the forte sound of dreidel, dreidel, dreidel marches into my head.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari

The attack on the home, which had been decorated with inflatable animals, dreidels and menorahs for Hanukkah, was captured on surveillance video.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 15, 2025

Four days later, the Stroum will host Hands on Hanukkah, which brings community members together for holiday crafts and activities such as decorating wooden dreidels and making mosaic menorahs and tissue-paper sun catchers.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 23, 2023

"It's Chanukkah, Bubbe, I don't have time for deep thoughts: just latkes, dreidels and menorahs."

From Salon ● Dec. 19, 2022

For the holiday season, they add wreaths to the miniature trolley line that runs across the space, run the Polar Express train around the tracks and feature cars decked out with dreidels.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 30, 2021

It’s the night of the holiday concert, when we sing about Santa and dreidels and Kwanzaa.

From "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

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