salt
noun
Definitions of salt noun
food
- A1Uncountable
a common white substance found in sea water and in the ground, used especially to add flavour to food or to preserve it
a mixture of salt and pepper
Could you please pass me the salt?
Add a small amount of salt to the soup.
chemical
- Countablechemistryspecialized
a chemical substance that is a combination of a metal or a base with an acid
Potassium nitrate and potassium chloride are both salts of potassium.
In the chemistry lab, we often use various kinds of salts.
verb
Definitions of salt verb
- Transitive
to add salt to or put salt on something
Remember to salt the potatoes.
They salt the roads to prevent ice from forming.
The chef carefully salts each dish while cooking.
adjective
Definitions of salt adjective
- Before noun
containing or preserved in salt
salt water
salt cod/pork
This restaurant is known for its salted vegetables.
Idioms
- take something with a pinch of salt
To not fully believe something you have been told, often because it seems unlikely or exaggerated.
• You have to take what she says with a pinch of salt, she tends to exaggerate things.
- add salt to something
To make a subject or conversation more engaging and lively.
• She always adds salt to her narratives with a touch of humor, making her stories come alive.
- salt of the earth
A person who is considered to be very good, honest, and unpretentious; a person of great worth and integrity.
• They were such a lovely couple; they really are the salt of the earth.
Phrasal Verbs of salt
- salt something away
to discreetly save something, usually money
• He salts away some money from his paycheck each month for a rainy day.