ginger

ginger — adjective

1. describes hair or fur that is a light orange-brown or reddish-brown colour, rath

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes hair or fur that is a light orange-brown or reddish-brown colour, rather than the more common black, brown, blonde, or white shades.

Example

Aoi has naturally ginger hair that glows like copper in the sunlight.

attributive adjective before 'hair'

A ginger cat sat on the garden wall, watching the birds.

Common collocations
  • ginger hair
  • ginger cat
  • ginger beard
  • ginger fur
  • ginger puppy
Synonyms
  • reddish

    covers more shades, not limited to red-orange

  • auburn

    usually a deeper, richer red-brown colour

Grammar Patterns

ginger + noun (hair, cat, beard, fur)

Usage Note

In British English, 'ginger' is the common word for orange-brown hair. In American English, 'red' or 'red-haired' is more typical. Some people with ginger hair may dislike being described this way, as it can feel reductive.

ginger — noun

ginger — verb

Word family

  • gingery
    adjectiveC1
  • gingerly
    adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Ginger, turmeric, and galangal are all rhizomes used in Asian cooking, but they differ markedly in flavour and appearance. Ginger has a sharp, slightly sweet heat and is pale yellow-brown inside. Turmeric gives a bright yellow-orange colour and has a mild, earthy, slightly bitter flavour; it is rarely eaten raw. Galangal, common in Thai food, looks similar to ginger but has a tougher skin and a sharper, more pine-like taste. Cardamom is not a root but a seed pod; its sweet, floral, slightly smoky flavour is completely different. Use ginger when you want a warm, zesty kick; turmeric for colour and earthiness; galangal for a sharper, citrusy note in soups and curries.

ginger ↗turmericgalangalcardamom

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • freshly (grated ginger)
  • finely (chopped ginger)
  • crystallised ginger

Phrases

  • full of ginger
  • take some ginger

Etymology

DravidianAncient GreekLatinOld EnglishEnglish

The word 'ginger' comes from Old English 'gingifer', which came via Latin 'zingiber' and Greek 'zingiberis', ultimately from a Dravidian language of South India (compare Tamil 'iñci' and 'vēr' meaning 'root'). The plant's root has been traded and used in cooking and medicine for over 4,000 years. The use of 'ginger' for red hair started in the 19th century, possibly because ginger root has a light brown-orange colour inside.