Definition

1. Noun:
   • An aromatic herb: "Dill" refers to a specific plant (Anethum graveolens) native to the Old World, known for its feathery, threadlike green leaves and small seeds. Both the leaves and seeds are used as a seasoning in cooking for their distinctive, slightly sweet, and grassy flavor.
   • The foliage or seeds of this plant: The word "dill" can also refer specifically to the harvested leaves (often called dill weed) or the seeds of the plant, which are used as culinary herbs and spices.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The recipe calls for a tablespoon of fresh dill. (This refers to the chopped leaves of the plant.)
  • She added dill to the pickling brine for the cucumbers. (This could refer to either the seeds or the fresh herb.)
  • Dill is a common ingredient in Scandinavian and Eastern European cuisine.

Advanced Usage

• "Dill" as a modifier: While "dill" itself is a noun, it is frequently used attributively (like an adjective) to describe other foods seasoned with it.
  • dill pickles (pickles flavored with dill)
  • dill sauce (a sauce made with dill)

Variants and Related Words

• Dillweed (n): A common term for the fresh or dried leaf part of the dill plant, used to distinguish it from the seeds.
  • The recipe specifies dillweed, not dill seeds.
• Dilly (adj, informal): An adjective sometimes used to describe something flavored with or reminiscent of dill.
  • The soup had a nice dilly flavor.

Synonyms

• Herb: A general term for plants used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume. Dill is a specific type of herb.
• Seasoning: A substance used to add flavor to food. Dill is a specific seasoning.

Related Phrases

• No common phrasal verbs or idioms are directly formed with the word "dill" itself. The word is primarily used in a culinary context.

Noun

1. aromatic threadlike foliage of the dill plant used as seasoning
2. aromatic Old World herb having aromatic threadlike foliage and seeds used as seasoning