Word
haggis
Phoneticshag·gis
UK/hˈæɡɪs/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a traditional Scottish dish made from sheep's organs mixed with oats, onions and spices, cooked in a sheep's stomach. You usually eat it hot with potatoes and turnips.
n. a traditional Scottish savoury pudding of minced sheep's offal mixed with oatmeal, suet, onion and spices, traditionally boiled in a sheep's stomach.
Examples
“We eat haggis with potatoes on cold evenings.”
“At the Scottish dinner, the chef served haggis with mashed turnips and potatoes.”
“Though outsiders often hesitate at its ingredients, haggis remains a proud symbol of Scottish hospitality, served with ceremony and deep respect for tradition.”
Examples
simple
“We eat haggis with potatoes on cold evenings.”
contextual
“At the Scottish dinner, the chef served haggis with mashed turnips and potatoes.”
complex
“Though outsiders often hesitate at its ingredients, haggis remains a proud symbol of Scottish hospitality, served with ceremony and deep respect for tradition.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “haggis” in context.
Verb
01. address haggis
“At midnight, the host stood to address haggis with Burns's famous poem.”
verb + noun
02. cook haggis
“You need to cook haggis gently for over an hour without bursting the skin.”
verb + noun
03. dine on haggis
“Guests from abroad will dine on haggis for the first time tonight.”
verb + prep + noun
04. haggis steams
“The haggis steams fragrantly as it is carried into the dining hall.”
noun + verb
05. pipe in haggis
“A piper will pipe in haggis before the ceremonial cutting begins.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
06. authentic haggis
“For authentic haggis, the mixture is simmered slowly in a natural casing.”
adj + noun
07. homemade haggis
“His grandmother's homemade haggis was richly spiced with black pepper.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. address to haggis
“The chairman recited the Address to Haggis with great theatrical flair.”
noun + prep + noun
09. haggis supper
“After the ceilidh, we bought a haggis supper from the local chip shop.”
noun + noun
10. address the haggis
“The master of ceremonies rose to address the haggis in full Highland dress.”
11. enjoy a haggis supper
“Visitors can enjoy a haggis supper with salt and vinegar by the harbour.”
12. pipe in the haggis
“Listen for the drums as they pipe in the haggis at nine o'clock.”
Usage
Plural is 'haggis' or 'haggises'; uncountable for the food as served, countable for a whole one.
Etymology
From Late Middle English hagis (“haggis”), from hag, haggen (“to chop, cut, hack; to cut into”) (from Old Norse hǫggva (“to hew”)), or from hakken (“to chop, hack; to dice, mince”) (from Old English hēawan (“to chop, hew; to dice, mince”)), both ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kewh₂- (“to hew; to beat, strike; to forge”).
From haggi + -s.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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