What does cress mean?
Cress refers to any of several small, quick-growing plants of the mustard family whose sharp, peppery leaves are eaten raw in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish. The most familiar kinds are garden cress (also called peppergrass), commonly grown from seed on a windowsill, and watercress, which thrives along streams and springs. The word functions mainly as a mass noun — one speaks of 'a bunch of cress' or 'scattering cress over soup' — though the plural 'cresses' appears occasionally when referring to different varieties. Cress carries strong associations with freshness and simple, traditional cookery, particularly in British cuisine, where mustard-and-cress has long been a staple sandwich filling. Because the plants germinate within days, cress is also popular as a first gardening project for children, giving the word a gentle, homely connotation alongside its culinary one.
Any of various small fast-growing plants of the mustard family with pungent edible leaves, especially garden cress and watercress.
"Garden cress can be harvested barely a week after sowing."
Usually treated as a mass noun; the plural 'cresses' is rare and mostly refers to distinct species.
The edible leaves or sprouts of such a plant, used in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish.
"Add a handful of cress to the soup just before serving."
Rarely used; cress normally functions as a mass noun. 'Cresses' appears chiefly when distinguishing between different varieties or species.
"The market stall offered several cresses, including curly and broad-leaved types."
Cress is one of the fastest-growing edible plants in the world — sprinkle the seeds and you can be eating your own crop in about a week.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cress
Cress comes from Old English 'cresse', a word of Germanic origin that has changed remarkably little over more than a thousand years. It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Dutch 'kers' and German 'Kresse', all referring to these same pungent salad plants. It survives most prominently today in compounds like 'watercress'.
Related word forms
How cress is actually used
Often used as a mass noun. In British English, 'mustard and cress' is a familiar pairing grown together for salads and sandwiches.
Easily confused with cress
A crest is a ridge, emblem, or tuft on top of something, while cress is an edible leafy plant.