sorrel

1 of 2

noun (1)

sor·​rel ˈsȯr-əl 

ˈsär-

1

: a sorrel-colored animal

especially : a light bright chestnut horse often with a mane and tail of lighter color (such as flaxen) compare chestnut entry 1 sense 4, bay entry 2 sense 1

2

: a brownish orange to light brown

sorrel

2 of 2

noun (2)

: any of various plants or plant parts with sour juice: such as

a

: any of various docks (such as Rumex acetosa and R. acetosella)

also : the leaves used as a potherb

b

: wood sorrel

Examples of sorrel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sorrel Lastly, Craig recommends sorrel as an easy-to-grow perennial vegetable. —Cori Sears, The Spruce, 9 May 2026

It was also nicely complemented by the homemade fresh juices, which includes options such as carrot, pineapple and sorrel. —Restaurant Critic, Houston Chronicle, 6 May 2026

The beds hold tomatoes, kale, peppers, sorrel, basil, and parsley. —Midwest Living, 22 Apr. 2026

Surrounded by edible sorrel flowers. —Eric Mandel, AJC.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English sorel, noun & adjective, from Anglo-French, from sor red, auburn, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch soor dry, barren, Old English sēar dry — more at sere

Noun (2)

Middle English sorel, from Anglo-French surele, from sur, siur sour, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German sūr sour — more at sour

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sorrel

• sheep sorrel
• sorrel tree
• wood sorrel

Rhymes for sorrel

• aural
• chloral
• choral
• coral
• floral
• forel
• lauryl
• loral
• moral
• quarrel
• sorel
• toral

Kids Definition

sorrel

1 of 2 noun

sor·​rel ˈsȯr-əl 

ˈsär-

1

: a brownish orange to light brown

2

: a sorrel-colored animal

especially : a light reddish brown horse often with cream mane and tail

sorrel

2 of 2 noun

: any of various plants (as dock or wood sorrel) with sour juice