noun

amaranth

AM-uh-ranth

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Amaranth (noun) means any of various herbs of the genus Amaranthus, often grown as ornamental plants or for food. Example: “Amaranth grows well in poor soil and is used as a leafy vegetable in many cuisines.”

noun

Any of various herbs of the genus Amaranthus, often grown as ornamental plants or for food.

"Amaranth grows well in poor soil and is used as a leafy vegetable in many cuisines."

"She planted amaranth along the border for its bright, trailing flower spikes."

A deep purplish-red colour, named after the flowers or leaves of the amaranth plant.

"The dress was a rich amaranth that caught the light."

"She chose amaranth and gold for the invitation cards."

cooking The tiny seed of the amaranth plant, used as a cereal grain in cooking.

"We cooked the amaranth in stock as a substitute for rice."

"Amaranth can be popped like popcorn or ground into flour."

How to use amaranth

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAmaranth is a leafy plant grown for food and colour, and also the name of the deep red-purple shade it gives its name to.

When to use it

Amaranth is a fairly specialised word, most often met in cooking, gardening or colour naming rather than everyday speech.

Memory tip

When amaranth refers to the colour it is uncountable, but when it refers to the plant or its seed it can take a plural, as in amaranths.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

amaranth grain amaranth leaves shade of amaranth amaranth flour

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ grows well in poor soil and is used as a leafy vegetable in many cuisines.

Etymology

Amaranth was borrowed from French amarante, itself from Latin amarantus, which goes back to Ancient Greek amarantos, meaning undying or unfading. That Greek word is built from a negative prefix attached to a verb meaning to wither, so the name originally described a flower imagined never to fade.

Origin: French, from Latin, from Ancient Greek

Synonyms

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amaranthus pigweed

Frequently asked questions

Is amaranth a grain or a vegetable?

It can be either: the leaves of the amaranth plant are eaten as a leafy vegetable, while its tiny seeds are cooked and eaten as a cereal grain.

What colour is amaranth?

Amaranth describes a deep purplish-red colour, taken from the shade of the plant's flowers and leaves.

Why is amaranth associated with being everlasting?

The name comes from an Ancient Greek word meaning unfading, since the plant's flowers were once imagined as a flower that never withers.

What is the meaning of amaranth?

"amaranth" (noun) means any of various herbs of the genus Amaranthus, often grown as ornamental plants or for food.