English Reference

Word

onion

US/ˈənjən/

UK/ˈʌniən/

Definitions

01the vegetable

A1 · Beginner Countable noun Cooking

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

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

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

“The recipe calls for two large yellow onions, finely diced and sautéed until they reach a deep golden brown.”

Synonyms

bulb

02the plant

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science

n. the plant that grows the onion bulb underground.

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

“The farmer planted rows of onions in the early spring.”

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

03a person from Bermuda

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal · Dialect

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

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

“He is a proud Onion who grew up in Hamilton.”

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

Synonyms

Bermudian

Etymology

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.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms

01. eat the onion

02. peel the onion

03. take out an onion

This entry

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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Frequency
Frequent
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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