noun

arrowroot

ER-oh-root

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Arrowroot (noun) means a tall perennial tropical plant, Maranta arundinacea, native to the Caribbean area, grown for its starchy rhizomes. Example: “The arrowroot in the greenhouse has broad green leaves.”

noun

A tall perennial tropical plant, Maranta arundinacea, native to the Caribbean area, grown for its starchy rhizomes.

"The arrowroot in the greenhouse has broad green leaves."

"Farmers there still grow arrowroot on small plots."

"Arrowroot thrives in warm, humid climates."

A fine starch from the rhizomes of an arrowroot plant, used as a thickener in cooking.

"Stir a spoonful of arrowroot into cold water before adding it to the sauce."

"She thickened the fruit glaze with arrowroot instead of flour."

"Arrowroot makes a clear, glossy sauce."

How to use arrowroot

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA starchy plant, or the fine powder from it that thickens sauces.

When to use it

Arrowroot is a neutral everyday word, mostly heard in cooking and gardening.

Memory tip

In recipes, arrowroot usually means the powder, not the whole plant.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

arrowroot powder arrowroot starch arrowroot flour thicken with arrowroot

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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 “arrowroot” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ in the greenhouse has broad green leaves.

Etymology

The word comes from Lokono aru-aru, which literally means meal of meals. It was reshaped by the English words arrow and root, because the plant's rhizomes were used on wounds from poison darts to draw out the poison.

Origin: Lokono

Rhymes for arrowroot

oot foot boot root moot loot coot hoot toot soot doot zoot

See all rhymes for arrowroot →

Frequently asked questions

What is arrowroot?

Arrowroot is a tropical plant, and also the starchy powder made from its rhizomes. The powder is used to thicken foods.

What is arrowroot used for?

Arrowroot powder is used as a thickener in cooking, for example in sauces and glazes.

Why is it called arrowroot?

The name was influenced by the words arrow and root, since the plant's rhizomes were applied to poison dart wounds to absorb the poison. It originally comes from the Lokono name aru-aru.

What is the meaning of arrowroot?

"arrowroot" (noun) means a tall perennial tropical plant, Maranta arundinacea, native to the Caribbean area, grown for its starchy rhizomes.