a vegetable or fruit that has been preserved in vinegar or brine, usually with spices and herbs added, a difficult or embarrassing situation

in a pickle, to be pickled, to pickle something

Formal and Informal Expressions of pickle

In different contexts, you can replace 'pickle' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'preserved vegetable, preserved fruit' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'cucumber, mess' is a commonplace synonym.

pickle: Explore its Definition & Usage

pickle Definition

1a vegetable or fruit that has been preserved in vinegar or brine, usually with spices and herbs added
2a difficult or embarrassing situation

Using pickle: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pickle" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
I love eating pickles with my sandwich.
Example
The company was in a financial pickle due to poor management.
Example
She found herself in a real pickle when she missed her flight.

pickle Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for pickle

Phrases with pickle

in a pickle
in a difficult or embarrassing situation
Example
He was in a pickle when he lost his wallet and couldn't pay for his meal.
to be pickled
to be drunk
Example
After a few too many drinks, he was completely pickled.
to pickle something
to preserve something in vinegar or brine
Example
I'm going to pickle these cucumbers so we can enjoy them later.

Origins of pickle

from Middle English 'pikel', meaning 'spiced sauce'

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Summary: pickle in Brief

The term 'pickle' [ˈpɪkəl] refers to a preserved vegetable or fruit in vinegar or brine, often with added spices. It also means a difficult or embarrassing situation, as in 'She found herself in a real pickle when she missed her flight.' The phrase 'in a pickle' denotes being in a tough spot, while 'to be pickled' means to be drunk. 'To pickle something' is to preserve it in vinegar or brine.