Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

gherkin

Syllabification: (gher·kin)
Pronunciation: /ˈgərkin/
Translate gherkin | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of gherkin

noun

  • 1a small variety of cucumber, or a young green cucumber used for pickling.
  • 2a trailing plant with cucumberlike fruits used for pickling.
    • Cucumis anguria, family Cucurbitaceae
  • the fresh or pickled fruit of the gherkin.

Origin:

early 17th century: from Dutch augurkje, gurkje, diminutive of augurk, gurk, from Slavic, based on medieval Greek angourion 'cucumber'

gherkin in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of gherkin in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite

More words in this category

Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

GET PRO ►

Shop for an Oxford dictionary
Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kər /
noun
an aggressive dog or one that is in poor condition …