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noun

tahini

tah-HEE-nee
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Tahini (noun) means a thick paste made by grinding sesame seeds, used in dishes such as hummus and baba ganoush. Example: “She stirred tahini into the dressing for a nutty flavour.”

noun
1
A thick paste made by grinding sesame seeds, used in dishes such as hummus and baba ganoush.
"She stirred tahini into the dressing for a nutty flavour."
"Hummus is made by blending chickpeas with tahini, lemon juice and garlic."
"A spoonful of tahini adds richness to the sauce."

How to use tahini

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTahini is a smooth paste made from ground sesame seeds, widely used in Middle Eastern cooking.

When to use it

Tahini is a neutral, everyday word used in recipes and on menus.

Memory tip

Stress the middle syllable: tah-HEE-nee, not TAH-ee-nee.

Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
tahini sauce tahini dressing jar of tahini drizzle of tahini
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She stirred _____ into the dressing for a nutty flavour.

Etymology

Tahini comes from Arabic, from a word built on a root connected with grinding. The final -i is thought to come from North Levantine dialects, or possibly from a related Greek word.

Origin: Arabic

ardeh

Rhymes for tahini

See all rhymes for tahini →

Frequently asked questions

What is tahini made from?
Tahini is made by grinding sesame seeds into a smooth, thick paste.
Is tahini the same as hummus?
No, tahini is an ingredient used to make hummus, not hummus itself. Hummus combines tahini with chickpeas and other flavourings.
How do you use tahini in cooking?
Tahini is stirred into sauces and dips, used in dressings, and forms the base of dishes such as hummus and baba ganoush.
What is the meaning of tahini?
"tahini" (noun) means a thick paste made by grinding sesame seeds, used in dishes such as hummus and baba ganoush.