gherkin

noun

gher·​kin ˈgər-kən 

1

a

: a small prickly fruit used for pickling

also : a pickle made from this fruit

b

: the slender annual vine (Cucumis anguria) of the gourd family that bears gherkins

2

: the immature fruit of the cucumber especially when used for pickling

Examples of gherkin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also known as sour gherkins and mouse melons, the fruits look like someone miniaturized a watermelon to the size of a small grape or olive. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 5 Dec. 2024

Layered into the sandwich is a crunchy salad of sugar snap peas, gherkins and Castelvetrano olives, which complement the richness of the crab with their spring zing. —Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024

Toss in jalapeño peppers and a splash of hot pepper sauce to give it some heat, and small dill gherkins for a little extra tang. —Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Jan. 2024

Slices of raw tuna, artfully staged with tomatoes, plums and split mouse melons, also known as Mexican gherkins, shimmer like rubies. —Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 27 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Dutch gurken, plural of gurk cucumber, ultimately from Middle Greek agouros

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for gherkin

• jerkin
• zircon

Kids Definition

gherkin

noun

gher·​kin ˈgər-kən 

: a small young cucumber used to make pickles

also : a small prickly fruit of a vine related to the cucumber that is used for the same purpose