noun
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a cultivated variety of cabbage, Brassica oleracea acephala, with crinkled leaves: used as a potherb See also collard
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a cabbage
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slang money
noun
Etymology
Origin of kale
1250–1300; Middle English cale, northern variant of cole
Explanation
Kale is a green leafy vegetable that's a close relative of cabbage and broccoli. Kale is tough and bitter when raw, but it can be yummy when you prepare it the right way. If you're a fan of green smoothies, there's almost certainly some kale in them. Marinating kale, roasting it with olive oil and salt, and throwing it in a stir fry are all great ways to make kale tasty. Long ago, kale was also a slang term for "money," as in, "Hand over the kale, sweetheart, and nobody gets hurt." Kale comes from a Scottish variation on cole, which meant "cabbage" in Middle English.
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.
If I were a member of Congress, I could introduce a bill with two clauses: one a statement supporting America’s moms, and another forcing everyone to eat kale.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
When Conagra’s vice president of culinary innovation Tom Frain first learned about growing adoption of GLP-1s, he envisioned being tasked with designing rabbit food made with kale and fiber supplements.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
The findings suggest that, under specific conditions, sugary chewing gum can help the body make better use of dietary nitrate found in foods such as beetroot, spinach, and kale.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026
Buttermilk, cornbread, apple butter, pork and kale, and other dishes will all be on McIntyre's menu.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
She looks from the kale in my hands toward the fridge.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
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.
