Meaning & Definition of word "Salt"

Salt

/sɔlt/

noun:

  • 1. A crystalline substance (sodium chloride) that is used to season and preserve food.
    • Example: I added a pinch of salt to the soup for extra flavor.
  • 2. Salt in the form of a strong seasoning or flavor enhancer.
    • Example: The chef recommended using a little more salt in the recipe.
  • 3. A substance used in various industrial processes.
    • Example: The factory produces chemicals from rock salt.
  • 4. A term used to refer to a person who is tough or dependable.
    • Example: He's a good man, a real salt of the earth.

verb:

  • 1. To add salt to food.
    • Example: Make sure to salt the pasta water before adding the noodles.
  • 2. To preserve food (especially meat) with salt.
    • Example: They used to salt the fish to keep it from spoiling.

Etymology

Old English sealt, from Proto-Germanic *saltą, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sal-.

Common Phrases and Expressions

salt of the earth:

A very good and honest person.

salt in the wound:

To make a bad situation worse.

take it with a grain of salt:

To view something with skepticism or not to take it literally.

worth one's salt:

To be worth the pay one receives.

Related Words

salinity:

The concentration of salt in water.

saline:

Containing or characterized by a high salt content.

unsalted:

Not containing salt.

Slang Meanings of salt

Meaning: Feeling bitterness or resentment.

Example Sentence: After losing the game, he was really salty about the referee's decision.

Meaning: To be overly dramatic or upset about something trivial.

Example Sentence: She got salty over a simple joke.