Definition

1. Noun:
   • A plant with large green leaves, eaten raw in salads: "lettuce" refers to a leafy vegetable, typically with crisp green leaves, commonly consumed fresh.
   • The leaves of this plant used as food: "lettuce" also means the edible leaves themselves, often used in salads, sandwiches, and wraps.
   • (Slang) Money: In informal contexts, "lettuce" can be used as a slang term for paper currency, likening it to green leaves.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Vegetable):
  • I need to buy a head of lettuce for the salad.
  • This sandwich is better with crisp lettuce.
• Noun (Slang):
  • He earned a lot of lettuce from that deal. (Informal)

Advanced Usage

• "Iceberg lettuce": A common variety with a round, firm head and pale, crisp leaves.
  • Iceberg lettuce is crunchy but less flavorful than other types.
• "Leaf lettuce": A variety with loose, tender leaves that are not formed into a tight head.
  • I prefer the delicate taste of red leaf lettuce.

Variants and Related Words

• Romaine (or Cos lettuce) (n): A variety with long, sturdy, dark green leaves and a firm rib.
  • Romaine lettuce is essential for a Caesar salad.
• Butterhead lettuce (n): A variety with soft, loose leaves and a mild flavor.
  • Butterhead lettuce, like Bibb, is very tender.

Synonyms

• Greens: Leafy vegetables (general term).
• Cabbage: Another leafy vegetable, but typically refers to a different, denser plant.
• (For slang) Cash, dough, bread: Other informal terms for money.

Related Phrases

• "Lettuce wrap": A dish where leaves of lettuce are used to encase a filling instead of bread or a tortilla.
  • We made healthy chicken lettuce wraps for lunch.

Related Idioms

• While there are no major idioms centered solely on the word "lettuce," the slang usage is itself a metaphorical idiom, comparing the green color of U.S. paper currency to the green leaves of the vegetable.

Noun

1. leaves of any of various plants of Lactuca sativa
2. any of various plants of the genus Lactuca
3. informal terms for money