What does wiener mean?
In modern American English, a wiener is a frankfurter or hot dog, usually a smooth sausage served in a bun. The word can also denote a small sausage of the kind labeled “Vienna sausage,” especially in packaged or restaurant form. As an informal noun, it is also a familiar nickname for a dachshund, while capitalized Wiener is an adjective meaning “of or relating to Vienna,” as in Wiener schnitzel. The hot-dog sense is ordinary American English and is generally neutral, though it can carry a nostalgic cookout or ballpark atmosphere. Its name preserves the sausage’s German-speaking connections: the English term comes from German Wiener, “of Vienna.” Because wiener can function both as a food label and as a cultural adjective, it is a useful example of how a geographical name can become part of everyday vocabulary without losing its distinctive history.
A frankfurter or hot dog; more specifically, a small Vienna-style sausage; informally, a dachshund.
"The deli sold grilled wieners and cold drinks from a cart outside the station."
The frankfurter sense is chiefly American, while the dachshund sense is informal.
Of or relating to Vienna, the capital of Austria.
"Wiener schnitzel is a breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet."
Wiener is normally capitalized in this sense.
The regular plural is used when referring to more than one frankfurter or sausage.
"The vendor sold hot wieners by the dozen."
Once a label for Vienna, “wiener” became America’s all-purpose hot dog.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wiener come from?
English borrowed the word from German Wiener, meaning “of or relating to Vienna” and used in the compound Wiener Würstchen, “Vienna sausage.” The city name appears in German as Wien and in English as Vienna, historically related forms that ultimately derive from Latin Vindobona. In American English, wiener became a general name for a frankfurter, while the capitalized adjective Wiener remains in cultural terms such as Wiener schnitzel.
Related word forms
How wiener is actually used
The hot-dog sense is especially common in American English. It is neutral and familiar, though it can evoke a nostalgic cookout or ballpark setting. The dachshund sense is informal, while capitalized Wiener is conventionally used when meaning “of Vienna.”
Easily confused with wiener
Vienna is the Austrian city, whereas wiener commonly denotes a frankfurter, a Vienna-style sausage, or informally a dachshund.
Viennese means characteristic of or associated with Vienna, while wiener is most commonly an American name for a frankfurter.