# bologna

/bəˈɫoʊni/ (US) · /bəlˈəʊni/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bologna
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a type of large, cooked sausage that people usually slice and eat in sandwiches. In American English, it is also a common word for nonsense or lies.

For teachers: a large, finely ground cooked sausage, typically made of beef, pork, or a mixture of both. In North American usage, the term frequently serves as a synonym for nonsense or deceptive talk.

## Examples

- I made a bologna sandwich for lunch today.
- The deli counter worker sliced the bologna thin so it would fold easily into the rolls.
- While the official report claimed the project was on schedule, most of the staff recognized the statement as pure bologna designed to appease the investors.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the meat or the abstract concept of nonsense; countable only when referring to specific varieties or whole sausages.

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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.