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
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World Cuisine - Middle School and High School
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Russia - Introductory
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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.
Shop signs appear in Bangla, English and Russian, while some restaurants serve borscht soup alongside local dishes.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
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
“Blood and a pelt, hmm! You drive a tough bargain, doggie. All right. Bring me that bowl of borscht, would you, big sister?”
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
