sorrel

1 of 2

noun (1)

sor·​rel ˈsȯr-əl How to pronounce sorrel (audio)
ˈsär-
1
: a sorrel-colored animal
especially : a light bright chestnut horse often with a mane and tail of lighter color (such as flaxen) compare chestnut entry 1 sense 4, bay entry 2 sense 1
2
: a brownish orange to light brown

sorrel

2 of 2

noun (2)

: any of various plants or plant parts with sour juice: such as
a
: any of various docks (such as Rumex acetosa and R. acetosella)
also : the leaves used as a potherb

Examples of sorrel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
At a small booth near the main entrance to the market, Mark Welborn sold out of nearly all his sorrel, Meyer lemons, purple mizuna, celery, guava, sapote, chard, Cara Cara oranges and bundles of fresh herbs. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Get the recipe > Caribbean Sorrel Not to be confused with the tart leafy green that goes by the same name, sorrel is what Jamaicans call hibiscus. Saveur Editors, Saveur, 14 Feb. 2024 Hibiscus is a flower — also known as Jamaica flower, flor de Jamaica, sorrel or roselle — and is available at Latin or Mexican markets, and online. Katie Workman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2024 Maybe the only falter is dessert, a creamy-icy concoction that includes melon panna cotta and fresh sorrel bingsu. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024 This year, the star ingredient will be sorrel, a type of Hibiscus flower that can be used to make jams, syrups, and a common favorite, juice. Melissa Noel, Essence, 12 Oct. 2023 Hibiscus is the defining ingredient of Jamaican Christmas sorrel punch, where it’s paired with citrus, aromatics, spices, and, occasionally, rum. Ozoz Sokoh, Bon Appétit, 14 May 2021 Her now 11-year-old book called, yes, Salad for Dinner, is filled with recipes like Indonesian chicken salad with pineapple slaw and salmon with quinoa, sorrel, and yogurt, each one hearty enough to be a complete meal. Hugh Garvey, Sunset Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023 The beverage program weaves in Trinidadian and Jamaican influence in a nod to business partner Scott Williams’ roots, with sorrel, pineapple, ginger beer and more. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sorrel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English sorel, noun & adjective, from Anglo-French, from sor red, auburn, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch soor dry, barren, Old English sēar dry — more at sere

Noun (2)

Middle English sorel, from Anglo-French surele, from sur, siur sour, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German sūr sour — more at sour

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sorrel was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near sorrel

Cite this Entry

“Sorrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sorrel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sorrel

1 of 2 noun
sor·​rel ˈsȯr-əl How to pronounce sorrel (audio)
ˈsär-
1
: a brownish orange to light brown
2
: a sorrel-colored animal
especially : a light reddish brown horse often with cream mane and tail

sorrel

2 of 2 noun
: any of various plants (as dock or wood sorrel) with sour juice

More from Merriam-Webster on sorrel

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!