slaw
Americannoun
noun
Usage
What is slaw? Slaw is a cold salad commonly made from sliced or chopped raw vegetables, especially cabbage or carrots, mixed with a dressing made with mayonnaise or vinegar. It often includes other seasonings and ingredients, such as onions and apples. The word coleslaw can be used to mean the same thing (and slaw is often short for coleslaw). However, coleslaw typically refers to the kind made with cabbage, while slaw can refer to varieties made without cabbage, such as carrot slaw. Slaw is most commonly served as a side dish, such as for barbecue, or a topping, such as for sandwiches. In the U. S., it’s associated with cookouts and picnics and known as a common side dish at some restaurants. Example: My mom makes a tasty slaw with carrots and onions.
Etymology
Origin of slaw
1860–65, < Dutch sla, short for salade salad
Explanation
Slaw is a kind of salad made from raw chopped or shredded cabbage. You might want to put some slaw in your picnic basket to eat with the sandwiches and potato chips. Slaw is shorthand for coleslaw, a side dish or salad that always includes cabbage and sometimes other shredded vegetables. Some slaw is dressed with vinaigrette and other types have a creamy or mayonnaise-based dressing. Many different cultures have versions of slaw, like the one in Germany called Krautsalat that includes apples and onions. Slaw comes from the Dutch sla, short for salade, or "salad."
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.
Honorable mentions include country ham and biscuits, Slaw of Many Colors, family favorite meatloaf and a classic strawberry shortcake.
From Salon • Oct. 8, 2024
She also mentions her Citrus Cabbage Slaw and Broccoli Stem Summer Rolls, both of which incorporate broccoli stems.
From Salon • Apr. 9, 2024
Slaw doesn’t have to be sweet unless you like it that way, but just a spoonful of sugar or honey in a dressing or vinaigrette can balance the bitterness of cabbage.
From Washington Post • Jun. 25, 2020
The performers planned for this week are Jen Slaw, Harrison Greenbaum and Michael Chaut.
From New York Times • Aug. 14, 2014
German Slaw This will use the yolks of two eggs and any little sour cream that may be left over.
From Made-Over Dishes by Rorer, Sarah Tyson Heston
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.
