noun
tamarind
TA-muh-rihnd
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
Word Forms
tamarinds plural
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A _____ tree grew beside the market stall.
Etymology
From Arabic tamr hindiyy, literally "Indian date," passed through Medieval Latin and Old French into English.