Broccoli Meaning
/ˈbɹɒk.ə.li/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA plant, Brassica oleracea var. italica, of the cabbage family, Brassicaceae; especially, the tree-shaped flower and stalk that are eaten as a vegetable.
nounMarijuana.
Sentence Examples
The broccoli is either costly or of poor quality.
Broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables.
CEFR Practice Quiz
For a healthy dinner, the child ate steamed ____ with his chicken.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I ate some green ____ as part of my healthy dinner this evening.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Examples of leafy vegetables are broccoli, spinach, celery, and chicory."
— 2013, Anselm Anyoha, MD, How Broccoli-Head Lost Thirty Pounds: A Handbook for Healthy Living, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 83:
"I be smokin' broccoli, mama told me eat my veggies"
— 2014, “Kodak Black”, in Heart Of The Projects, performed by Skrilla:
"All I want is cottage, roll a cigar full of broccoli"
— 2017, “T-Shirt”, in Culture, performed by Migos:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
For a healthy dinner, the child ate steamed ____ with his chicken.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I ate some green ____ as part of my healthy dinner this evening.