A1noun2K

Onion

UK /["/ˈʌnjən/"]/US /["/ˈʌnjən/"]/

Definition

a round vegetable with many layers inside each other and a brown, red or white skin. Onions have a strong smell and taste.

In simple words: A round vegetable with a brown skin that makes you cry when you cut it.

Examples

  • Chop the onions finely.
  • French onion soup
  • slice/fry/peel an onion
  • Pile golden caramelized onions on top of mashed potatoes.
  • Garnish with a little chopped onion.
  • a jar of pickled onions
  • cheese and onion flavoured crisps
  • sage and onion stuffing

Usage notes

Use 'onion' when talking about cooking or food. It's commonly used in recipes. In more informal contexts, it can also be a term for people who have many layers in personality.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Onions are known to bring 'on'-ly tears when cut!

Collocations

  • raw
  • caramelized
  • pickled
  • chop
  • peel
  • slice
  • ring
  • soup
  • dip
  • cheese and onion
  • sage and onion

Synonyms

  • bulb
  • vegetable
  • Allium

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'shallot', which is a smaller, sweeter onion.
  • Sometimes misspelled as 'onoin'.
  • Mistakenly think all onions are the same; there are many types.