noun

koumiss

KOO-miss

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Koumiss (noun) means a drink produced by fermenting mare's milk, long favoured by nomadic communities across the Central Asian steppe. Example: “Herders on the steppe still ferment koumiss from fresh mare's milk.”

noun

A drink produced by fermenting mare's milk, long favoured by nomadic communities across the Central Asian steppe.

"Herders on the steppe still ferment koumiss from fresh mare's milk."

"She offered us a bowl of koumiss as a mark of hospitality."

"Koumiss has a slightly sour, faintly fizzy taste from fermentation."

How to use koumiss

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishKoumiss is mare's milk that has been left to ferment into a drink.

When to use it

It is a specialist, mostly descriptive term used when discussing Central Asian food and culture.

Memory tip

You will also see this word spelled kumis or kumiss, so do not be thrown by the different spellings.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

a bowl of koumiss drink koumiss traditional koumiss

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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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Herders on the steppe still ferment _____ from fresh mare's milk.

Etymology

Koumiss reached English by way of French koumis and German Kumiss, which both took the word from Russian kumys. The Russian form was itself borrowed earlier from a Turkic language.

Origin: Russian

Synonyms

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kumis

Frequently asked questions

What is koumiss made from?

Koumiss is made by fermenting mare's milk.

Where is koumiss traditionally drunk?

It is traditionally drunk by peoples of the Central Asian steppes.

Is koumiss alcoholic?

Koumiss is fermented, but the grounding does not say how much alcohol, if any, it contains.

What is the meaning of koumiss?

"koumiss" (noun) means a drink produced by fermenting mare's milk, long favoured by nomadic communities across the Central Asian steppe.