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Definition of "gherkin" [gher•kin]

  • A West Indian vine (Cucumis anguria) having prickly mature fruits that are sold as curiosities. The immature fruits are widely used for pickling. (noun)
  • The fruit of this plant. Also called gooseberry gourd. (noun)
  • A small cucumber, especially one used for pickling. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "gherkin" in a sentence
  • "FLY ON THE WALL also wins the award for "most divinely picklish use of the word gherkin in all of lit'rature!""
  • "The name gherkin is applied to small pickling cucumbers."
  • "The gherkin is a small thick oval-shaped species of cucumber with"