onion
[ uhn-yuh n ]
/ ˈʌn yən /
noun
adjective
containing or cooked with onions: onion soup.
of, relating to, or resembling an onion.
Idioms for onion
know one's onions, Slang.
to know one's subject or business thoroughly; be capable or proficient.
Origin of onion
1325–75; Middle English
onyon < Old French
oignon < Latin
ūniōn- (stem of
ūniō) a unity, large pearl, onion; see
union
OTHER WORDS FROM onion
on·ion·like, adjective on·ion·y, adjectiveWords nearby onion
ongoings,
oni,
onie,
onigiri,
oniomania,
onion,
onion dome,
onion fly,
onion rings,
onion snow,
onion weed
British Dictionary definitions for know one's onions
onion
/ (ˈʌnjən) /
noun
an alliaceous plant, Allium cepa, having greenish-white flowers: cultivated for its rounded edible bulb
the bulb of this plant, consisting of concentric layers of white succulent leaf bases with a pungent odour and taste
any of several related plants similar to A. cepa, such as A. fistulosum (Welsh onion)
know one's onions British slang
to be fully acquainted with a subject
Derived forms of onion
oniony, adjectiveWord Origin for onion
C14: via Anglo-Norman from Old French
oignon, from Latin
unio onion, related to
union
Idioms and Phrases with know one's onions
onion
see know one's stuff (onions).