coleslaw

noun

cole·​slaw ˈkōl-ˌslȯ 

variants or less commonly cole slaw

plural coleslaws also cole slaws

: a salad made of raw sliced or chopped cabbage and often additional ingredients (such as shredded carrots or raisins) tossed in a usually creamy dressing

called also slaw

Examples of coleslaw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Red Lobster On Veterans Day, all veterans, active-duty military and reserves can get a free Shrimp & Chips entrée, which comes with Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, fries and coleslaw. —Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 11 Nov. 2025

Raw chicken stored beside coleslaw and cooked beef, cardboard used as shelf liners, and heavy grease buildup on the oven hood and surrounding equipment. —Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Nov. 2025

The room was hazy with cigar smoke and strewn with pastrami and coleslaw. —David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025

Choose a free entrée from a special menu that includes the Cheeseburger with fries, Chicken Fingers with fries and coleslaw, Chicken Caesar Salad, a Half Rack of Ribs with choice of side, or a half portion of the Cajun Shrimp & Chicken Pasta. —Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Dutch koolsla, from kool cabbage + sla salad

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for coleslaw

• allantois
• baccarat
• chickasaw
• mackinaw
• overawe
• oversaw
• quebecois
• yojana
• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw

Kids Definition

coleslaw

noun

cole·​slaw ˈkōl-ˌslȯ 

: a salad made of sliced or chopped raw cabbage