condiment
5 synonyms for condiment, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sauce, relish or seasoning added to food at the table to improve its flavour.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use condiment
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
condiment tray
a range of condiments
sauces and condiments
Neutral; slightly more formal than "sauce".
Etymology
From Latin condimentum "spice, seasoning", from condire "to season, to preserve".
Full origin of condiment →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a condiment and a seasoning?
A seasoning, such as salt or dried herbs, is usually added during cooking and becomes part of the dish. A condiment is added afterwards, at the table, and stays separate — ketchup, chutney, soy sauce. Salt and pepper straddle both categories.
Is ketchup a condiment?
Yes. Ketchup is one of the clearest examples: it is served alongside finished food and each diner adds as much as they want. Mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauce, pickles and relish belong to the same group.
Is butter a condiment?
It can be treated as one when it is put on the table for spreading, but butter is more often classed as a fat or a spread because it is also a cooking ingredient. Menus and food retailers vary in how they file it.
