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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishA small round pulse used in cooking, especially soups, curries, and stews.
Common pairings
red lentils
green lentils
lentil soup
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Word forms
- Plural
- lentils
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.
Synonyms
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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.
