# onion

/ˈənjən/ (US) · /ˈʌniən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/onion
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the vegetable

noun · CEFR A1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. the plant

noun · CEFR B2

the plant that grows the onion bulb underground.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. a person from Bermuda

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Dialect

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- I always chop an onion before I start making the soup.
- The recipe calls for one large red onion to be finely diced and sautéed until translucent.
- While the outer skin of an onion is dry and papery, the inner layers are crisp and contain sulfurous compounds that irritate the eyes when released.

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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.