Word
slaw
US/ˈsɫɔ/
UK/slˈɔː/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a cold salad made from thin strips of raw cabbage, often with carrots and a creamy or sour dressing. You usually eat it with barbecue, burgers, or fried food.
n. a cold side dish of shredded raw cabbage, often mixed with grated carrot and coated in a mayonnaise-based or vinegar-based dressing.
Examples
“We eat slaw with grilled chicken and rice.”
“She orders a pulled pork sandwich with a side of creamy slaw to balance the smoky meat.”
“The barbecue joint serves its brisket with a sharp vinegar slaw that cuts through the fat and adds a cool crunch to each bite.”
Examples
simple
“We eat slaw with grilled chicken and rice.”
contextual
“She orders a pulled pork sandwich with a side of creamy slaw to balance the smoky meat.”
complex
“The barbecue joint serves its brisket with a sharp vinegar slaw that cuts through the fat and adds a cool crunch to each bite.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “slaw” in context.
Verb
01. make slaw
“Let's make slaw to serve with the grilled burgers tonight.”
verb + noun
02. pair with slaw
“Barbecue places pair fried chicken with slaw for balance.”
verb + prep + noun
03. serve slaw
“They serve slaw chilled alongside fried fish and chips.”
verb + noun
04. serve with slaw
“We serve pulled pork with slaw and pickles in summer.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
05. creamy slaw
“We ordered fried chicken with creamy slaw on the side.”
adj + noun
06. crunchy slaw
“This crunchy slaw adds freshness to the soft pork sandwich.”
adj + noun
07. homemade slaw
“My grandmother's homemade slaw is always crisp and lightly sweet.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. batch of slaw
“She made a large batch of slaw for the weekend cookout.”
noun + prep + noun
09. bowl of slaw
“He finished a whole bowl of slaw with his lunch.”
noun + prep + noun
10. side of slaw
“I ordered a burger with a side of slaw instead of fries.”
noun + prep + noun
11. a bowl of crunchy slaw
“We shared a bowl of crunchy slaw with our barbecue platter.”
12. serve burgers with slaw
“They serve burgers with slaw and sweet potato fries.”
Real-World Examples
“The meal itself will kick off with crab cakes along with cabbage, kohlrabi, fennel and cucumber slaw.” Etymology
Borrowed (around 1861) from Dutch sla, shortened from salade (“salad, lettuce”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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