latke
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of latke
1925–30; < Yiddish < East Slavic; compare Byelorussian ( g ) latka, dial. form of aladka kind of pancake, Old Russian oladǐya ( Russian oládʾya ), probably < Greek elá ( i ) dion, derivative of élaion oil
Explanation
A latke is a small pancake usually made with grated potatoes. Latkes are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah. Most latkes are crispy little potato pancakes that are served with apple sauce or sour cream during the eight days of Hanukkah. Officially, though, a latke is simply a pancake—the word itself comes, via Yiddish, from a Russian word meaning "little pancake." Latkes can in fact be made from almost any vegetable, bean, cheese, or grain.
Vocabulary lists containing latke
It's Lit: Hanukkah Words
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World Cuisine - Introductory
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"The Diary of Anne Frank," Vocabulary from the drama
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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.
There are a million ways to enjoy it, but my favorite is on a fresh latke with a smear of sour cream or with cold butter on a thick slice of Russian black bread.
From Salon • Dec. 4, 2025
Topol says at her Hanukkah celebrations, there are always a few people who have never had a latke before.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2024
This recipe is for a classic, unadorned latke.
From New York Times • Dec. 14, 2022
Once you’ve fried the perfect latke, you have a canvas to create anything your heart desires.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 13, 2022
The kitchen still reeks of onions from last night’s latke extravaganza, but I’m too happy to care.
From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
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.
