noun

masala

muh-SAH-luh

Masala (noun) means a blend of spices used in South Asian cooking, often including cardamom, coriander, and pepper. Example: “She ground her own garam masala for the curry.”

noun

A blend of spices used in South Asian cooking, often including cardamom, coriander, and pepper.

"She ground her own garam masala for the curry."

"The chicken was marinated in yogurt and masala overnight."

How to use masala

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA spice mix used to season South Asian dishes.

Common pairings

garam masala masala chai chicken tikka masala

Word forms

masalas plural, masale plural

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She ground her own garam _____ for the curry.

Etymology

Borrowed from Hindustani, ultimately from Persian and Arabic words meaning "ingredients" or "affairs."

Origin: Arabic

Rhymes for masala

ala gala sala Kala mala Lala Bala Vala koala scala Ayala impala

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Frequently asked questions

What does “masala” mean?

The word “masala” means a blend of spices used in South Asian cooking, often including cardamom, coriander, and pepper. In plain terms, a spice mix used to season South Asian dishes.

How do you pronounce “masala”?

“Masala” is pronounced muh-SAH-luh (/məˈsɑːlə/ in IPA).

How do you use “masala” in a sentence?

Here is “masala” used in a sentence: “She ground her own garam masala for the curry.”

What part of speech is “masala”?

“Masala” is a noun.

Where does the word “masala” come from?

The word “masala” comes from Arabic. Borrowed from Hindustani, ultimately from Persian and Arabic words meaning "ingredients" or "affairs.".

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Vocabulary lists that include masala:

Words with Arabic origins