dreidel

[ dreyd-l ]

noun

, plural drei·dels, drei·del.

1. a four-sided top bearing the Hebrew letters nun, gimel, he, and shin, one on each side, used chiefly in a children's game traditionally played on the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dreidel¹

1925–30; < Yiddish dreydl, equivalent to drey ( en ) to rotate, turn (< Middle High German dræ ( je ) n, dræhen; compare G. drehen ) + -dl noun suffix

Example Sentences

My Jewish cousin even gave me a dreidel – though it wasn’t made of clay.

From Salon

We would light the candles, spin the dreidel, eat the latkes, sing the songs.

From Salon

Normally the holiday is about fun for kids, with gifts and dreidel songs.

From New York Times

Four days later, the Stroum will host Hands on Hanukkah, which brings community members together for holiday crafts and activities such as decorating wooden dreidels and making mosaic menorahs and tissue-paper sun catchers.

From Seattle Times

The blue packaging is decorated with dreidels and the quip: "Enough to last 8 days!*Ok, not an actual guarantee. Oye! Now call your mother."

From Salon