# bagel

/ˈbeɪɡəɫ/ (US) · /bˈeɪɡəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bagel
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. bread roll

noun · CEFR A2

a round, chewy bread roll with a hole in the middle that is boiled before it is baked.

For teachers: a toroidal bread roll of Polish origin, traditionally boiled in water before baking to produce a dense, chewy texture.

- I usually have a toasted bagel with cream cheese for breakfast.
- The bakery specializes in traditional sourdough bagels, which are hand-rolled and boiled in malted water to achieve a distinctive glossy crust.

### 2. tennis score of 6-0

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

a score of 6-0 in a tennis set, named because the zero looks like a bagel.

For teachers: a set in tennis that ends with a score of 6–0. The term is a visual metaphor for the digit zero.

- The champion won the first set with a bagel, giving his opponent no chance.
- After losing the opening set in a bagel, the underdog managed to break serve and regain some momentum in the second.

### 3. to win a set 6-0

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

to beat an opponent 6-0 in a set of tennis.

For teachers: to defeat an opponent in a set of tennis without conceding a single game.

- She managed to bagel her rival in the final set to win the tournament.
- It is rare to see a top-seeded player get bageled in a Grand Slam final, but the physical exhaustion was clearly visible.

## Examples

- I usually eat a toasted bagel with cream cheese for breakfast.
- The local bakery is famous for its traditional bagels, which are hand-rolled and boiled every morning.
- While the classic plain bagel remains a staple, modern variations include everything from sourdough bases to sweet toppings like cinnamon and raisins.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.