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

Foodies can choose from seasonal offerings and sides of french fries, coleslaw and more. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

It's topped with mozzarella and American cheese; the mixture is placed atop a bed of cheddar cheese tater tots formed into a taco shell and finished with buffalo buttermilk ranch coleslaw, garlic parmesan buffalo sauce and more tots. — Briauna Brown, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Also offered are classic sides including potato salad, mac and cheese, beans and coleslaw. — Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026

Grandma likes to serve her recipes with a side of coleslaw or potato salad. — Phoebe Evans, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026

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