Definition

1. Noun:
   • A savory liquid or semi-liquid mixture used to flavor and moisten salads. It is typically added to raw vegetables or other salad ingredients just before serving. Salad dressings are fundamentally categorized into two main types: the thin, oil-and-vinegar-based type (like vinaigrette) and the thick, creamy type (like mayonnaise-based dressings).

Usage

• Salad dressing is used as a condiment or sauce specifically for salads.
• It is typically applied by tossing it with salad ingredients or drizzling it on top.
• It is a mass noun, generally used in the singular form (e.g., "some salad dressing," "a bottle of salad dressing").

Examples

• Noun:
  • Would you like any salad dressing on your greens?
  • She makes a delicious homemade salad dressing with olive oil and lemon juice.
  • The restaurant offers a choice of several salad dressings, including ranch and balsamic vinaigrette.

Advanced Usage

• "to toss with salad dressing": To mix salad ingredients thoroughly with the dressing.
  • Toss the lettuce gently with the salad dressing just before serving.
• "salad dressing on the side": A request to have the dressing served separately from the salad.
  • I'll have the Caesar salad, with the salad dressing on the side, please.

Variants and Related Words

• Dressing (n): Often used as a shorter, more general term for "salad dressing."
  • What kind of dressing would you prefer?
• Vinaigrette (n): A specific type of thin salad dressing made from oil and vinegar, often seasoned.
• Mayonnaise (n): A thick, creamy emulsion of egg yolk, oil, and vinegar or lemon juice, used as a base for many creamy salad dressings.

Synonyms

• Sauce for salad: A descriptive synonym.
• Salad sauce: A less common alternative term.

Related Phrases

• House dressing: A salad dressing that is a specialty or standard offering of a particular restaurant.
  • Their house dressing is a secret recipe.
• Creamy dressing: A general term for mayonnaise or yogurt-based salad dressings.
• Oil-based dressing: A general term for vinaigrette-style salad dressings.

Notes on Meaning

• The term specifically refers to dressings for salads. While some dressings (like mayonnaise) can be used as sandwich spreads, the phrase "salad dressing" implies its primary use.
• The two fundamental kinds referenced are emulsions: vinaigrette (a temporary emulsion) and mayonnaise (a stable, permanent emulsion).

Noun

1. savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type