lettuce

IPA/ˈletɪs/
KK[lˈɛtəs]IPA/ˈletɪs/

lettuce — noun

  • lettucesingular
  • lettucesplural

1. a leafy green vegetable that people eat raw, either in salads or as a crunchy to

1.nounA2
Definition

a leafy green vegetable that people eat raw, either in salads or as a crunchy topping on sandwiches and burgers

Example

Kian added crispy lettuce and slices of tomato to his lunch sandwich.

collocation: crispy lettuce

A fresh head of lettuce can make a simple burger feel much more filling.

Common collocations
  • crispy lettuce
  • fresh lettuce
  • iceberg lettuce
  • romaine lettuce
  • a head of lettuce
  • lettuce leaves
  • lettuce wrap
  • shredded lettuce
  • wash the lettuce
Synonyms
  • greens

    informal term covering all leafy salad vegetables; broader than lettuce

  • salad leaves

    a more general term that may include spinach, rocket, or mixed leaves alongside lettuce

Usage Note

Lettuce is usually uncountable (some lettuce, a bowl of lettuce). It can be countable when referring to whole heads or types: 'two lettuces', 'several varieties of lettuce'.

Common Mistakes

Please put some salad on my sandwich.
Please put some lettuce on my sandwich.
'salad' refers to the whole dish, not the leafy vegetable itself.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Lettuce, greens, salad, and cabbage all refer to edible plants but are not interchangeable. Lettuce is a specific leafy vegetable with a mild flavour and crisp texture, most often eaten raw. 'Greens' is a broader, informal term for any leafy vegetables used in salads or cooking (spinach, kale, collards). 'Salad' is the name of a dish, not a single ingredient — calling lettuce 'salad' is a common learner mistake. Cabbage is firmer and is usually cooked or fermented, though it can also be shredded raw in coleslaw. For example: 'I bought a head of lettuce for sandwiches' (specific vegetable), 'Eat your greens!' (any leafy vegetable), and 'Would you like a salad with that?' (a dish, not a leaf).

lettuce ↗greens ↗salad ↗cabbage ↗

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Lettuce comes from Latin lactūca, which comes from lac ('milk'), because lettuce stems have a milky white juice. The word travelled into English through Old French laictue and Middle English letuse.