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noun B1 Intermediate Uncommon

mustard

MUHS-tuhd

Mustard (noun) means a yellow-brown condiment made from the seeds of the mustard plant, often eaten with meat. Example: “He spread a thick layer of mustard on his hot dog.”

noun
1
A yellow-brown condiment made from the seeds of the mustard plant, often eaten with meat.
"He spread a thick layer of mustard on his hot dog."
adj
1
Having a dark yellow colour, like the condiment.
"She wore a mustard cardigan over her dress."
2
Informal: very good or highly skilled.
"He's absolutely mustard at chess."

How to Use Mustard

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe yellow condiment, its colour, or informally, being excellent at something.

Common pairings
cut the mustard mustard sauce mustard yellow

Word Forms

Mustards plural

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Test yourself on “mustard” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

He spread a thick layer of _____ on his hot dog.

Etymology

From Old French moustarde, related to "must" (unfermented grape juice), which was originally mixed with ground mustard seed to make a paste.

Origin: Old French

Related Words

Rhymes for mustard

See all rhymes for mustard →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “mustard” mean?

The word “mustard” means a yellow-brown condiment made from the seeds of the mustard plant, often eaten with meat. In plain terms, the yellow condiment, its colour, or informally, being excellent at something.

How do you pronounce “mustard”?

“Mustard” is pronounced MUHS-tuhd ([ˈmʌs.tɚd] in IPA).

How do you use “mustard” in a sentence?

Here is “mustard” used in a sentence: “He spread a thick layer of mustard on his hot dog.”

What part of speech is “mustard”?

Depending on how it is used, “mustard” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “mustard” come from?

The word “mustard” comes from Old French. From Old French moustarde, related to "must" (unfermented grape juice), which was originally mixed with ground mustard seed to make a paste.

Is “mustard” a common word?

“Mustard” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “mustard” have?

“Mustard” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a yellow-brown condiment made from the seeds of the mustard plant, often eaten with meat.

What is the difference between mustard as a food and mustard as a colour?

As a food, mustard is a yellow-brown condiment made from the seeds of the mustard plant and commonly eaten with meat. As a colour, mustard describes a dark yellow shade resembling the condiment, used for example to describe clothing or paint.

What does it mean when someone says a person is mustard?

In informal British usage, calling someone or something mustard means describing them as very good or highly skilled. This sense is distinct from the food and colour meanings.

What is mustard traditionally eaten with?

Mustard, as a condiment made from mustard seeds, is traditionally eaten with meat, and it is also commonly paired with sandwiches, sausages, and cured meats.

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