sorrel

¹ American  

[sawr-uhl, sor-] / ˈsɔr əl, ˈsɒr- /

noun

1. light reddish-brown.

2. a horse of this color, often with a light-colored mane and tail.

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adjective

1. of the color sorrel.

sorrel ² American  

[sawr-uhl, sor-] / ˈsɔr əl, ˈsɒr- /

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Rumex, of the buckwheat family, having edible acid leaves used in salads, sauces, etc.

2. any of various sour-juiced plants of the genus Oxalis.

3. any of various similar plants.

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sorrel ¹ British  

/ ˈsɒrəl /

noun

1. 1. a light brown to brownish-orange colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a sorrel carpet

2. a horse of this colour

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sorrel ² British  

/ ˈsɒrəl /

noun

1. any of several polygonaceous plants of the genus Rumex, esp R. acetosa, of Eurasia and North America, having acid-tasting leaves used in salads and sauces See also dock 4 sheep sorrel

2. short for wood sorrel

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Etymology

Origin of sorrel¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Old French sorel, equivalent to sor brown (< Germanic ) + -el diminutive suffix; -elle

Origin of sorrel²

1350–1400; Middle English sorell < Old French surele, equivalent to sur sour (< Germanic; akin to Old High German sūr sour) + -el diminutive suffix; -elle

Explanation

If you have a reddish-brown horse, you can call it a sorrel. If your favorite riding boots are the same color as your horse, you can describe them as sorrel too. The word sorrel is a homograph with two distinct meanings. It can mean either a reddish brown color (or a horse with that coloring) or any of various plants with sour juice. Both words came via French, and are ultimately from different Germanic roots. The color sorrel comes from sor, "yellowish-brown" in Middle French, while the horse of the same name might more commonly be described as "chestnut."

Example Sentences

One flank is covered with tranquil forests and fields where typical local crops like spinach, sorrel and chives grow.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

"Stinging nettles are a come again plant. Cow parsley, sorrel too. Strangely you can pick a lot of salads now," he says.

From BBC • Oct. 27, 2024

The dish at the heart of the book is a dry-aged strip loin of beef with tomato and sorrel, and it is almost that simple a dish.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2023

Nobody wants to disturb the rows of ceviche on fresh sorrel leaves or mounds of honeycomb toffee on a long, terraced stand.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2023

Actually Goblin’s gaits were so smooth he seemed easier than the sorrel.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes