noun
okra
OK-ruh
Okra (noun) means a green, ridged vegetable pod eaten cooked, known for its sticky texture when cut and used to thicken stews. Example: “She fried the okra with cornmeal and onions.”
noun
1
A green, ridged vegetable pod eaten cooked, known for its sticky texture when cut and used to thicken stews.
"She fried the okra with cornmeal and onions."
"Okra is a key ingredient in gumbo."
How to use okra
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA green vegetable pod, popular in Southern US, West African, and South Asian cooking, famous for going slimy when cooked.
Common pairings
fried okra
okra and tomatoes
a pod of okra
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Word forms
- Plural
- okras
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She fried the _____ with cornmeal and onions.
Etymology
Traces back to a West African language, likely Igbo, and arrived in English via the transatlantic slave trade, alongside the plant itself.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “okra” mean?
The word “okra” means a green, ridged vegetable pod eaten cooked, known for its sticky texture when cut and used to thicken stews. In plain terms, a green vegetable pod, popular in Southern US, West African, and South Asian cooking, famous for going slimy when cooked.
How do you pronounce “okra”?
“Okra” is pronounced OK-ruh (/ˈoʊkɹə/ in IPA).
How do you use “okra” in a sentence?
Here is “okra” used in a sentence: “She fried the okra with cornmeal and onions.”
What is another word for “okra”?
Words with a similar meaning to “okra” include bandikai, bhindi, gumbo and ladyfinger.
What part of speech is “okra”?
“Okra” is a noun.
