Word
rye
US/ˈɹaɪ/
UK/ɹˈaɪ/
Definitions
01the grain or plant
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a plant or its grain used to make flour for dark, heavy bread.
n. the hardy cereal grass Secale cereale or its grain, commonly used in northern Europe for bread-making and fodder.
“The farmer grew rye because it survives better in cold weather than wheat.”
“Rye is a resilient crop that thrives in poor soils where other cereals might fail, making it a staple in many northern climates.”
02rye bread
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Cooking
n. a type of dark bread made from rye flour.
n. a dense, dark bread produced using flour from rye grain.
“I ordered a pastrami sandwich on toasted rye with extra mustard.”
“The bakery is famous for its traditional sourdough rye, which has a distinctively sharp and earthy flavour profile.”
Synonyms
03rye whiskey
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun American English
n. a type of strong alcohol made from rye grain.
n. a variety of whiskey distilled from a mash containing at least 51 percent rye grain.
“He sat at the bar and ordered a glass of rye on the rocks.”
“The bartender recommended a local rye for the cocktail, noting its spicy finish compared to the sweetness of a typical bourbon.”
Real-World Examples
“At Rye, the first US outpost of Austrian bakery Martin Auer, a 3.3lb loaf of 100% rye sourdough sells for $60 in SoHo.” “Any adventurous eater who has wandered into the woods of modern Nordic cuisine has probably tripped over a loaf of rye bread.” In Literature
Cover: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — Jacket design by Michael Mitchell.
The Catcher in the Rye · 1951-07-16 · Bildungsroman
- Author:
- J. D. Salinger
J. D. Salinger’s 1951 classic follows a disillusioned teenager named Holden Caulfield as he wanders through New York City. The title refers to a dream where Holden imagines himself standing in a field of this grain, catching children before they fall off a nearby cliff. This metaphor represents his desire to preserve the innocence of childhood against the harsh realities of the adult world.
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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