scallion

American

[skal-yuhn] / ˈskæl yən /

noun

any onion that does not form a large bulb; green onion.
a shallot.
a leek.

scallion British

/ ˈskæljən /

noun

Also called: green onion. any of various onions or similar plants, such as the spring onion, that have a small bulb and long leaves and are eaten in salads

"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

Etymology

Origin of scallion

1300–50; late Middle English scalyon ( e ) < Old French *escaloigne < Vulgar Latin *escalonia, variant of Latin Ascalōnia ( caepa ) onion of Ascalon, a seaport of Palestine; replacing Middle English scalone, scaloun < Anglo-French scaloun < Vulgar Latin, as above

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.

A scallion you keep alive in a glass of water.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 2025

Our latest Neighborhood Eats dispatch comes from Federal Way, where we bounced around Pacific Highway South searching for the best Korean scallion pancake around the Sound.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 31, 2024

The 1-inch-high pancake is stuffed with scallion stalks interspersed with chunks of octopus.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 31, 2024

These toasted sesame and scallion waffles are light and savory.

From New York Times • May 7, 2023

We order soup, scallion pancakes, cold noodles with sesame sauce, and spicy shredded beef with broccoli.

From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023