# Waldorf

/ˈwɔɫdɔɹf/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/waldorf
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a style of education or food. In schools, it focuses on creativity and nature; in cooking, it is a famous salad with apples, celery, and walnuts.

For teachers: refers to an educational philosophy emphasizing holistic development and creative play, or a specific salad composed of apples, celery, walnuts, and mayonnaise.

## Examples

- We ordered a Waldorf salad to share as a starter.
- The local Waldorf school encourages children to learn through artistic activities and outdoor exploration rather than standardized testing.
- The chef prepared a modern interpretation of the classic Waldorf salad, substituting the traditional mayonnaise with a light yogurt dressing and adding toasted pecans for extra texture.

## Usage notes

- When referring to the educational system, it is often used as a modifier before 'school' or 'education'.

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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.