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onion

n.
US //ˈənjən// UK //ˈʌniən// onion
  1. 1 the vegetable (n.)
    A1 Beginner Cooking

    a round vegetable with a strong smell and taste that is made of many layers.

    the edible bulb of the plant Allium cepa, characterized by its pungent taste and concentric layers.

    Example

    I always cry a little bit when I chop an onion for the soup.

    Example

    The recipe calls for two large yellow onions, finely diced and sautéed until they reach a deep golden brown.
  2. 2 the plant (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    the plant that grows the onion bulb underground.

    any of various plants of the genus Allium, particularly those cultivated for their edible bulbs or leaves.

    Example

    The farmer planted rows of onions in the early spring.

    Example

    Onions are biennial plants, though they are typically harvested as annuals before the flowering stalk has a chance to develop.

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  1. 3 a person from Bermuda (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Dialect

    a nickname for a person who lives in or comes from Bermuda.

    a demonym for an inhabitant of Bermuda, originally referring to the island's historical export of the vegetable.

    Example

    He is a proud Onion who grew up in Hamilton.

    Example

    While the term might sound unusual to outsiders, many locals embrace the label 'Onion' as a symbol of their cultural heritage and history.
    • bermudian
Origin

From Middle English onyoun, oynoun, from Old French oignon, from Latin ūniōnem, accusative of ūniō (“onion”), which had also been borrowed into Old English as yne, ynnelēac (“onion”) (> Middle English hynne-leac, henne-leac). Also displaced Middle English knelek (literally “knee-leek”) and the inherited term ramsons. * (soy): Stems from a 4chan word filter which changes the word soy to onions. The word filter was implemented in relation to the "alpha onion eater" meme, which is depicted as the direct opposite of the soy boy.

Idioms3 entries

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