pickle

[ pik-uhl ]

/ ˈpɪk əl /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: pickle / pickled on Thesaurus.com

noun

a cucumber that has been preserved in brine, vinegar, or the like.

Often pickles . any other vegetable, as cauliflower, celery, etc., preserved in vinegar and eaten as a relish.

something preserved in a brine or marinade.

a liquid usually prepared with salt or vinegar for preserving or flavoring fish, meat, vegetables, etc.; brine or marinade.

Metallurgy. an acid or other chemical solution in which metal objects are dipped to remove oxide scale or other adhering substances.

Informal. a troublesome or awkward situation; predicament: I was in a pickle after the check bounced.

Informal. a sour, disagreeable person.

verb (used with object), pick·led, pick·ling.

to preserve or steep in brine or other liquid.

to treat with a chemical solution, as for the purpose of cleaning.

to give a pale, streaked finish to (wood) by applying and partly removing paint or by bleaching, as to give an appearance of age.

Slang. to store; prepare for long-range storage: Let's pickle these old cars for a few years.

OTHER WORDS FOR pickle

6 plight, quandary; fix, bind, scrape, jam.

See synonyms for pickle on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of pickle

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English pikel, pikkel “spicy sauce or gravy,” from Middle Dutch, Middle Low German pekel(e), peeckel “brine, pickle”

Words nearby pickle

Pickford, pick holes in, pickin, picking, pickings, pickle, pickleball, pickled, pickle juice, pickleworm, picklock

Other definitions for pickle (2 of 2)

pickle²

[ pik-uhl ]

/ ˈpɪk əl /

noun Scot. and North England.

a single grain or kernel, as of barley or corn.

a small amount; a little.

Origin of pickle

First recorded in 1545–55; of uncertain origin; perhaps noun use of pickle “to take tiny bits of food in eating,” frequentative of pick¹; see -le

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pickle in a sentence

Over the past six months, her business selling small-batch pickles, jams and radishes has tripled its sales.
Small Business Saturday spotlights pandemic-inspired entrepreneurship|Emily Davies|November 28, 2020|Washington Post
Scientists have known that sea pickles have special cells called photosites, located as spots around their bodies, that allow them to glow.
We finally know why sea pickles glow|María Paula Rubiano A.|October 22, 2020|Popular-Science
In the promotional video, Balvin says his preference is for “no pickles,” which sort of defeats the purpose of a Big Mac, but hey, if you want to consume the exact same food as J Balvin, you gotta make some sacrifices.
McDonald’s Partners With J Balvin Following the Huge Success of the Travis Scott Meal|Jaya Saxena|October 6, 2020|Eater
It would be a very unpleasant chore, and again, that’s the pickle you’re trying to present.
The most secure ways to lock up your bike|By Michael Frank/Cycle Volta|August 26, 2020|Popular-Science

Then, you’ll find yourself in a pickle if more than one blogger accepts it.
Nine mistakes to avoid when contacting websites for backlinks|Raj Dosanjh|July 29, 2020|Search Engine Watch
You spice it with blues and skiffle music, and pickle it in alcohol and tobacco smoke.
The Greatest Rock Voice of All Time Belonged to Joe Cocker|Ted Gioia|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our backyard had a baseball diamond and a “Pickle” path worn into the lawn because of Frankie.
‘Tracing the Blue Light’: Read Chapter 1 of Eileen Cronin’s ‘Mermaid’|Eileen Cronin|April 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A pinch hitter named Pickle Smith was announced for Jacksonville.
The Great Paul Hemphill Celebrates the Long Gone Birmingham Barons|Paul Hemphill|March 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Chuck Strickler of Decatur, Michigan, found himself in a pickle right after September 11.
New iPhone a Problem for People Who Lack Fingerprints|Winston Ross|September 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But soon after I arrived in Washington, D.C., I was in a pickle.
Michelle Rhee: My Break With the Democrats|Michelle Rhee|February 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Now one is told he is somewhat of a pickle, but fables about royalty may always be received with more than a grain of salt.
Spanish Life in Town and Country|L. Higgin and Eugne E. Street
Pit your shovel in here an' lift this pickle, an' no' stand there gapin' like a grisly ghost at the door o' hell!
The Underworld|James C. Welsh
Very true,” said Edward; “we have nothing to conceal, and if he finds us in a pickle it is of no consequence.
The Children of the New Forest|Captain Marryat
Then when it had become sapless and hard, he cut it to shape, then “put it 178 to pickle,” as the saying goes.
McClure's Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 2, July, 1893|Various
Because she got into a pretty pickle—there's a riddle for you.
Frank Fairlegh|Frank E. Smedley

British Dictionary definitions for pickle

pickle

/ (ˈpɪkəl) /

noun

(often plural) vegetables, such as cauliflowers, onions, etc, preserved in vinegar, brine, etc

any food preserved in this way

a liquid or marinade, such as spiced vinegar, for preserving vegetables, meat, fish, etc

mainly US and Canadian a cucumber that has been preserved and flavoured in a pickling solution, such as brine or vinegar

informal an awkward or difficult situationto be in a pickle

British informal a mischievous child

verb (tr)

to preserve in a pickling liquid

to immerse (a metallic object) in a liquid, such as an acid, to remove surface scale

Derived forms of pickle

pickler, noun

Word Origin for pickle

C14: perhaps from Middle Dutch pekel; related to German Pökel brine

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with pickle

pickle

see in a fix (pickle).

pickle

OTHER WORDS FOR pickle

Origin of pickle

Words nearby pickle

Other definitions for pickle (2 of 2)

Origin of pickle

Words related to pickle

How to use pickle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pickle

Derived forms of pickle

Word Origin for pickle

Other Idioms and Phrases with pickle