What does "broccoli" mean?
A plant, Brassica oleracea var. italica, of the cabbage family, Brassicaceae; especially, the tree-shaped flower and stalk that are eaten as a vegetable.
Broccoli
/ˈbɹɑ.kə.li/ name, noun, slang
name, noun, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A plant, Brassica oleracea var. italica, of the cabbage family, Brassicaceae; especially, the tree-shaped flower and stalk that are eaten as a vegetable.
- Grammar: broccoli is listed as name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: brassica oleracea cultivar, brassica oleracea italica, consumable part, cruciferous vegetable.
- Usage evidence: The broccoli is either costly or of poor quality.
How to use "broccoli"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "broccoli" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "broccoli" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "broccoli" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "broccoli" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "broccoli" is acting as name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "brassica oleracea cultivar" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "broccoli", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A plant, Brassica oleracea var. italica, of the cabbage family, Brassicaceae; especially, the tree-shaped flower and stalk that are eaten as a vegetable. countable, uncountable
"You can also get oriental broccolis such as kailaan and nabana, which are easy to grow and really tasty."
- 2 plural of broccolo form-of, plural
- 3 branched green undeveloped flower heads wordnet
- 4 Marijuana. US, countable, slang, uncountable
"I be smokin' broccoli, mama told me eat my veggies"
- 5 plant with dense clusters of tight green flower buds wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname from Italian.
Synonyms
All synonyms brassica oleracea cultivarbrassica oleracea italicaconsumable partcruciferous vegetableculinary headedible portion
Example
"The broccoli is either costly or of poor quality."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "broccoli"?
Common synonyms include: brassica oleracea cultivar, brassica oleracea italica, consumable part, cruciferous vegetable, culinary head, edible portion.
How do you use "broccoli" in a sentence?
The broccoli is either costly or of poor quality.
How do you pronounce "broccoli"?
Pronounced /ˈbɹɑ.kə.li/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
1699, Italian broccoli, plural of broccolo (“cabbage sprout, head”), diminutive of brocco (“shoot, sprout”) (which is also the origin of brocade), from Latin broccus (“pointed, sharp, projecting; buck-toothed”), possibly of Gaulish origin, related to Proto-Celtic *brokkos (“badger”) or Proto-Celtic *brozdos (“tip, point”) (compare Scottish Gaelic brog (“pointed instrument, awl”), Welsh procio (“thrust, poke”), Old English brord (“point, spike”)). More at brochure, brad.
Etymology 2
Borrowed from Italian Broccoli.