noun

tajine

tuh-ZHEEN

Quiz me More like this

Tajine (noun) means an earthenware cooking pot from North Africa with a shallow base and a tall, cone-shaped lid. Example: “She lifted the conical lid off the tajine to check on the meat.”

noun

An earthenware cooking pot from North Africa with a shallow base and a tall, cone-shaped lid.

"She lifted the conical lid off the tajine to check on the meat."

"Tajines are traditionally made from glazed earthenware."

"We bought a decorative tajine at a market stall in Morocco."

A slow-cooked stew, originally Moroccan, prepared in this pot and usually served with couscous.

"We ordered a chicken tajine with apricots and almonds."

"The lamb tajine was served alongside a mound of couscous."

"A vegetable tajine simmers gently for a couple of hours."

How to use tajine

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA North African clay pot, or the slow-cooked stew made in it.

When to use it

A neutral, everyday word that appears often on restaurant menus.

Memory tip

Whether spelled tajine or tagine, the word can mean either the pot or the dish cooked in it, so check the context.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

chicken tajine lamb tajine vegetable tajine conical lid of a tajine

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like tajine.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She lifted the conical lid off the _____ to check on the meat.

Etymology

The word passed into English from Moroccan Arabic, which took it from a wider Arabic term for a shallow earthen pot. That Arabic word is itself traced back to an Ancient Greek word for a frying pan or saucepan.

Origin: Moroccan Arabic

Rhymes for tajine

nine mine wine line sine dine fine vine thine shine Rhine Maine

See all rhymes for tajine →

Frequently asked questions

What is a tajine?

A tajine is either the cone-lidded earthenware pot used in North African cooking, or the slow-cooked stew made inside it.

What is the difference between tajine and tagine?

Tajine and tagine are simply alternative spellings of the same word, referring to the same pot and dish.

What is tajine traditionally served with?

The stew is normally served with couscous.

What is the meaning of tajine?

"tajine" (noun) means an earthenware cooking pot from North Africa with a shallow base and a tall, cone-shaped lid.