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salad dressing

salad dressing

13 1.0
A cold sauce like oil and vinegar or ranch that adds flavor to fresh vegetables
  • noun
  • /ˈsæləd ˈdrɛsɪŋ/
translation icon : aderezo
  • But I want the salad dressing on the side.
  • creamy salad dressing
  • mayonnaise or salad dressing
  • Italian salad dressing

We have vinegar, which is often used in salad dressings.

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Examples

  • I carry my own salad dressing into restaurants because I must be so careful.

    Blog text (31)
  • So I'm going to try the Caesar salad dressing tonight.

  • You have to try the salad dressing.

  • I was in charge of the salad dressing.

  • My daddy thinks that oil is something you stick in your salad dressing.

  • Which of your salad dressings is your favorite?

  • I spilled salad dressing on myself.

  • Plain yogurt with a little salt and pepper makes a great salad dressing.

    Blog text (32)
  • I will say that the homemade salad dressing (a mango-vinaigrette) was really delicious on my salad greens.

    Blog text (23)
  • Would you like ranch or vinaigrette as your salad dressing?

Synonyms

mayonnaise
vssalad dressing
87 1.1

A thick creamy sauce made from egg yolks and oil used on sandwiches and in salads

is often the base for many cold sauces rather than a salad sauce itself
vinaigrette
vssalad dressing
28 3.3

A salad dressing made from oil and vinegar, often with mustard or garlic

is the oil and vinegar subtype within the general cold sauce category
dressing
vssalad dressing
8 1.0

A sauce like vinaigrette or a creamy one used on salads

is the general category covering all cold sauces for salads
Italian dressing
vssalad dressing
  • US
2 2.4

A thin sauce for salad made with oil, vinegar, garlic, and herbs like oregano

is a specific herbal-flavored member of the general cold sauce category
blue cheese dressing
vssalad dressing
2 2.8

A creamy sauce that has blue cheese and mayonnaise or sour cream

is a specific creamy cheese flavored member of the general sauce group
remoulade
vssalad dressing
2 7.0

A creamy tangy sauce made from mayonnaise and mustard for fish or salads

is a similar creamy subtype often used with seafood and salads
Russian dressing
vssalad dressing
  • US
2 3.5

A creamy sauce for salads and sandwiches made from mayonnaise, horseradish, onion, and ketchup

is the broader cold sauce category, not limited to this spicy mix
French dressing
vssalad dressing
1 1.9

A salad sauce of oil and vinegar often mixed with mustard and garlic

is a variety within the general cold sauce group for salads
remoulade sauce
vssalad dressing
1 5.9

A cold creamy sauce made from mayonnaise, herbs, and mustard for seafood or salads

is a tangy creamy subtype within the broad cold sauce category
sauce vinaigrette
vssalad dressing
3.4

A cold dressing of oil and vinegar with mustard and garlic

is one specific composition among many cold salad sauces
salad cream
vssalad dressing
  • UK
3.0

A smooth, tangy, creamy dressing like mayonnaise used on salads and sandwiches

is a particular creamy style within the broad cold sauce category
half-and-half dressing
vssalad dressing
  • US
5.8

A salad dressing made from equal parts mayonnaise and vinaigrette with garlic and cheese

is a specific blended subtype combining creamy and oil based cold sauces
anchovy dressing
vssalad dressing
4.1

A salad sauce that mixes oil and vinegar with mashed anchovies to make it salty

is a flavored subtype within the general cold sauce group, not the whole category

How Thick

mayonnaise
87 1.1
salad cream
  • UK
3.0
salad dressing
13 1.0
vinaigrette
28 3.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

salad + dressing

The meaning 'a cold sauce served with salads' is directly and transparently composed from 'salad' (a cold dish of vegetables) + 'dressing' (a sauce for salads), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the compound meaning. This noun+noun composition is common cross-linguistically and follows ordinary morphological patterns, making it immediately comprehensible.

Etymology

Salad dressing comes from the simple image of dressing a salad, like putting clothes on someone. Chefs 'dress' a salad by pouring a sauce over it, so salad dressing means the sauce used to flavor the salad.