pickled

adjective

pick·​led ˈpi-kəld 

1

: preserved in or cured with pickle

pickled herring

2

: drunk sense 1a

gets thoroughly pickled before dinner

—New Yorker

Synonyms

• fried
• drunk
• drunken
• wet
• impaired
• wasted [slang]

Examples of pickled in a Sentence

He got pickled at the office party.

I must have been rather pickled when I agreed to your stupid scheme.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sizzlin' Sriracha Dippers (Mild) — Chicken Dippers marinated in pickled garlic sriracha, served with a buttermilk ranch dip cup and a Hot Ones Sriracha sachet. —MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025

The Hot Ones collab starts with the Sizzlin' Sriracha Dippers, which are pickled-garlic-sriracha marinated chicken fingers that are rated on the milder side. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025

As the sun sets, diners dig into burgers dressed up like banh mi, with pickled daikon, rich duck liver mousse, and a burst of cilantro. —The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025

Meanwhile, prep the pickled onions and refrigerate, alongside the pork. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pickled

• prickled
• tickled
• trickled

Kids Definition

pickled

adjective

pick·​led

: preserved with pickle