noun

lentil

LEHN-tuhl

Lentil (noun) means a small, disc-shaped edible seed from a legume plant, commonly dried and used in soups and stews. Example: “She simmered red lentils with cumin and garlic for a quick curry.”

noun

A small, disc-shaped edible seed from a legume plant, commonly dried and used in soups and stews.

"She simmered red lentils with cumin and garlic for a quick curry."

"Lentils are a cheap source of protein for vegetarians."

How to use lentil

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small round pulse used in cooking, especially soups, curries, and stews.

Common pairings

red lentils green lentils lentil soup

Word forms

lentils plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She simmered red _____ with cumin and garlic for a quick curry.

Etymology

From Latin lēns, the same word that gave us "lens" — because a magnifying lens is shaped like a lentil seed.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

lentil plant

Frequently asked questions

What does “lentil” mean?

The word “lentil” means a small, disc-shaped edible seed from a legume plant, commonly dried and used in soups and stews. In plain terms, a small round pulse used in cooking, especially soups, curries, and stews.

How do you pronounce “lentil”?

“Lentil” is pronounced LEHN-tuhl (/ˈlɛntəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “lentil” in a sentence?

Here is “lentil” used in a sentence: “She simmered red lentils with cumin and garlic for a quick curry.”

What part of speech is “lentil”?

“Lentil” is a noun.

Where does the word “lentil” come from?

The word “lentil” comes from Latin. From Latin lēns, the same word that gave us "lens" — because a magnifying lens is shaped like a lentil seed.