Definitions
01the plant or vegetable
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun Cooking
n. a plant with large green or purple leaves that people eat in salads.
n. an edible herbaceous plant, Lactuca sativa, typically grown for its leaves which are consumed as a salad vegetable.
“I bought a fresh head of lettuce to make a salad for dinner.”
“The chef insisted on using only locally grown romaine lettuce, noting that the crisp texture was essential for a traditional Caesar salad.”
02money
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun American English · Slang
n. a slang word for paper money, especially US dollars.
n. a slang term for paper currency, specifically United States dollar bills.
“He made a lot of lettuce working overtime this summer.”
“In the gritty dialogue of the mid-century crime novel, the characters frequently referred to their stolen loot as 'lettuce'.”
Teaching tip
This is a dated slang term; modern speakers are more likely to use 'cash' or 'bucks'.
03long hair
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Informal · Slang
n. long, thick, or messy hair on a man.
n. a slang term for a man's long, flowing, or thick hair, often associated with sports culture.
“The hockey player was famous for the long lettuce sticking out of his helmet.”
“The term 'lettuce' has gained popularity in North American sports subcultures to describe the impressive hair growth of athletes during the playoffs.”
Teaching tip
Commonly used in 'bro' culture and sports contexts like hockey or lacrosse.
Etymology
From Middle English letuse, of uncertain precise origin, probably from the plural form Old French laitues, derived from Latin lactūca (“lettuce”), from lac (“milk”), because of the milky fluid in its stalks. Replaced Old English lēahtric. (money): Likely from the green color of US banknotes.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/lettuce
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0