Meaning & use
neeps
Last updated
UK/niːps/
US/niːps/
Meaning
nounpluralScottishregional
Swedes or turnips, especially when cooked and mashed as a traditional Scottish dish.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun; it does not usually have a singular form in this meaning.
Patterns
- neeps and tatties
- a plate of neeps
We had haggis, neeps, and tatties for Burns Night.
The neeps were boiled and mashed with butter.
He grows neeps in his vegetable garden.
Common combinations
- neeps and tatties
- Neeps and tatties are a classic Scottish side dish.
- mashed neeps
- She served mashed neeps with the roast lamb.
- boiled neeps
- The boiled neeps were soft and sweet.
- a field of neeps
- The farmer planted a field of neeps.
Synonyms and how they differ
- swede
- Swede is the standard British word for the vegetable; neeps is the Scottish regional term, often used for the mashed dish.
- turnip
- Turnip is a related but smaller root vegetable; in Scotland, neeps usually means swede rather than the small white turnip.
- rutabaga
- Rutabaga is the American word for the same vegetable; neeps is not used in American English.
Commonly confused: neeps or neeps?
neeps vs neeps
Not to be confused with 'nips', which means small bites or pinches.
Practice
In Scottish cooking, what are 'neeps'?
Choose one answer.
Neeps are swedes or turnips, commonly mashed and served with haggis. The other options are different Scottish foods or ingredients.
Make it your own
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