# wiener

/ˈwaɪnɝ/ (US) · /wˈiənɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

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

## Definition

a small, smooth sausage that people often eat in a bun. It is another name for a hot dog or a frankfurter.

For teachers: a smooth-textured, parboiled sausage typically made from pork or beef. Often used as a synonym for a frankfurter or hot dog.

## Examples

- He put a grilled wiener into a fresh bun.
- At the summer barbecue, the kids lined up to get a wiener with plenty of ketchup and mustard.
- While the term originates from the German name for Vienna, in modern American English it refers almost exclusively to the inexpensive sausages served at sporting events and casual cookouts.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in North American English; can also be used as a slang term for a weak or cowardly person.

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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.