noun
tamarind
TA-muh-rihnd
Tamarind (noun) means a tropical tree that produces long, curved pods filled with sticky, sour-sweet pulp. Example: “A tamarind tree grew beside the market stall.”
noun
1
A tropical tree that produces long, curved pods filled with sticky, sour-sweet pulp.
"A tamarind tree grew beside the market stall."
2
The sour-sweet pulp from this tree's pods, used as a souring agent in cooking and in sauces like Worcestershire.
"She stirred tamarind paste into the curry for a tangy kick."
"Tamarind gives the sauce its distinctive sour edge."
How to use tamarind
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sour-sweet fruit pulp from a tropical tree, widely used to add tang to dishes and sauces.
Common pairings
tamarind paste
tamarind pod
tamarind sauce
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Word forms
- Plural
- tamarinds
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ tree grew beside the market stall.
Etymology
From Arabic tamr hindiyy, literally "Indian date," passed through Medieval Latin and Old French into English.
Synonyms
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tamarindo
tamarind tree
Frequently asked questions
What does “tamarind” mean?
The word “tamarind” means a tropical tree that produces long, curved pods filled with sticky, sour-sweet pulp. In plain terms, a sour-sweet fruit pulp from a tropical tree, widely used to add tang to dishes and sauces.
How do you pronounce “tamarind”?
“Tamarind” is pronounced TA-muh-rihnd (/ˈtæməɹɪnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “tamarind” in a sentence?
Here is “tamarind” used in a sentence: “A tamarind tree grew beside the market stall.”
What part of speech is “tamarind”?
“Tamarind” is a noun.
Where does the word “tamarind” come from?
The word “tamarind” comes from Medieval Latin. From Arabic tamr hindiyy, literally "Indian date," passed through Medieval Latin and Old French into English.
How many meanings does “tamarind” have?
“Tamarind” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tropical tree that produces long, curved pods filled with sticky, sour-sweet pulp.
