noun

halva

hahl-VAH

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Halva (noun) means a dense sweet confection usually made from crushed sesame seeds and honey, eaten traditionally across South Asia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Example: “We bought a slab of pistachio halva from the market stall.”

noun

A dense sweet confection usually made from crushed sesame seeds and honey, eaten traditionally across South Asia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

"We bought a slab of pistachio halva from the market stall."

"Halva is often served alongside strong coffee at the end of a meal."

"She keeps a block of halva in the cupboard for whenever she wants something sweet."

How to use halva

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHalva is a sweet, dense treat traditionally made from crushed sesame seeds and honey.

When to use it

The word is neutral and used the same way in everyday and formal contexts.

Memory tip

You may also see it spelled halvah, halva or halwa; they all refer to the same confection.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

a slice of halva sesame halva pistachio halva a block of halva

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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”.

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We bought a slab of pistachio _____ from the market stall.

Etymology

Halva entered English from Yiddish khálva, which was borrowed from Romanian halva. That word traces back through Ottoman Turkish and Persian to Arabic ḥalwā, meaning a sweet.

Origin: Yiddish

Rhymes for halva

Alva

See all rhymes for halva →

Frequently asked questions

What is halva made of?

Halva is usually made from crushed sesame seeds combined with honey, giving it a dense, crumbly texture.

Where does halva come from?

It is a traditional dessert across South Asia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and its name reached English by way of Yiddish, Romanian, Ottoman Turkish, Persian and ultimately Arabic.

Is halva the same as halvah?

Yes, halvah is simply an alternative spelling of halva.

What is the meaning of halva?

"halva" (noun) means a dense sweet confection usually made from crushed sesame seeds and honey, eaten traditionally across South Asia, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.