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Definition of worcestershire

worcestershire

/ˈwʊs.tər.ʃər/
wor · ces · ter · shire
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worcestershire Lexical Profile

• noun

1

global A pungent, savory, and complex liquid condiment made from vinegar, molasses, anchovies, tamarind, and various spices, originally created in Worcester, England (often used as a shorthand for Worcestershire sauce).

Example

"She added a dash of Worcestershire to the bloody mary to give it an extra savory kick."

2

British A historic, non-metropolitan county located in the West Midlands region of England, known for its rolling countryside, cathedral city, and the Malvern Hills.

Example

"During their tour of the English countryside, they spent three days exploring the historic architecture and scenic hills of Worcestershire."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for worcestershire

Word Nuance & Usage

Notorious for its counterintuitive spelling and pronunciation (typically pronounced 'WOOS-tər-sheer' or 'WOOS-tər-shər'), the word is frequently used alone as a shorthand for 'Worcestershire sauce' in culinary contexts.

• Nearby Words

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woozy
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Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the county of Worcestershire in England. 'Worcester' originates from Old English 'Weogornaceaster' (a Roman fort of the Weogora tribe), combined with 'scir' (shire or county). The famous sauce bearing its name was developed there in the 1830s by chemists John Wheeley Lea and William Henry Perrins.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Worcestershire. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/worcestershire
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