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Definition of 'leek'

Word Frequency

leek

(liːk )

Word forms: plural leeks

variable noun

Leeks are long thin vegetables which smell similar to onions. They are white at one end, have long light green leaves, and are eaten cooked.

COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

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Word Frequency

leek in British English

(liːk )

noun

1. Also called: scallion

an alliaceous plant, Allium porrum, with a slender white bulb, cylindrical stem, and broad flat overlapping leaves: used in cooking

2.

any of several related species, such as A. ampeloprasum ( wild leek)

3.

a leek, or a representation of one, as a national emblem of Wales

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Word origin

Old English lēac; related to Old Norse laukr, Old High German louh

Word Frequency

leek in American English

(lik )

noun

any of various perennial, onionlike, wild or garden vegetables (genus Allium, esp. A. porrum) of the lily family, having a small bulb with a cylindrical stem, and broad, flat, folded leaves: used in soups, sauces, etc.

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Word origin

ME lek < OE leac, akin to Ger lauch < ? IE base *leug-, to bend > L luxus, excess: so named ? from its outward-bent leaves

Word Frequency

leek in American English

(lik)

noun

1.

a plant, Allium ampeloprasum, of the amaryllis family, allied to the onion, having a cylindrical bulb and leaves used in cookery

2.

any of various allied species

Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019 by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Word origin

[bef. 1000; ME; OE lēac; c. G Lauch, ON laukr]

Examples of 'leek' in a sentence
leek

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Add the leeks and garlic and fry until soft. Add the leek greens and half the parsley. Add the leeks and cook for about five minutes, or until soft. Add onion and leeks, cook for five minutes.Add almonds, chicken and leek. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over a medium heat, then gently sauté the leeks and celery until they are translucent. Add the leek and garlic and cook for 5 more minutes, then add the tomatoes.Add the diced onion, celery, carrot and leek.When bubbling, add the leek and bacon and fry for about three minutes, or until the bacon is cooked through and the leek softened.She carries our bags and warms some leek and potato soup.

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In other languages
leek

British English: leek /liːk/ NOUN

Leeks are long green and white vegetables which smell like onions.

American English: leek
Arabic: كُرَّاثٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: alho-poró
Chinese: 韭葱
Croatian: poriluk
Czech: pórek
Danish: porre
Dutch: prei
European Spanish: puerro
Finnish: purjo
French: poireau
German: Lauch
Greek: πράσο
Italian: porro
Japanese: ネギ
Korean: 리크
Norwegian: purre
Polish: por
European Portuguese: alho francês
Romanian: praz
Russian: лук-порей
Latin American Spanish: puerro
Swedish: purjolök
Thai: ต้นหอม
Turkish: pırasa
Ukrainian: цибуля-порей
Vietnamese: tỏi tây

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leek

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leek

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Definition of leek from the Collins English Dictionary

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place or plaice?

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plaice

place

I ordered a fillet of with rice and vegetables.

pedal or peddle?

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He attempted to pedal his paintings around small London galleries. He attempted to peddle his paintings around small London galleries.

altar or alter?

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The priest stood at the altar The priest stood at the alter

bread or bred?

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bread

bred

She made herself some and butter.

sun or son?

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son

sun

He shared a pizza with his .

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Jan 15, 2021

Word of the day

mentor

A person's mentor is someone who gives them help and advice over a period of time, especially help and advice related to their job .

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Scrabble score
for 'leek':
8

Quick word challenge

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Question: 1

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Score: 0 / 5

chilli or chilly?

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chilly

chilli

It was a afternoon.

spoke or spoken?

Which version is correct?

We had spoke about something like this happening. We had spoken about something like this happening.

pain or pane?

Which version is correct?

I felt a sharp pain in my back. I felt a sharp pane in my back.

mail or male?

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male

mail

Most of the people in the audience were .

flea or flee?

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flea

flee

The disease spread from rats to humans by bites.

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