noun

vindaloo

vihn-duh-LOO

Quiz me More like this

Vindaloo (noun) means a very hot, tangy curry made with meat marinated in vinegar, garlic, and chilli, originating in Goa. Example: “He ordered the chicken vindaloo, the hottest dish on the menu.”

noun

A very hot, tangy curry made with meat marinated in vinegar, garlic, and chilli, originating in Goa.

"He ordered the chicken vindaloo, the hottest dish on the menu."

"She warned him the vindaloo would be far too spicy for a first curry."

How to use vindaloo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA very hot curry, originally from Goa, known for its sharp, tangy, chilli-heavy sauce.

Common mistake

Despite sounding like "aloo" (Hindi for potato), vindaloo has no etymological link to potatoes — the potato version is just a popular variation.

Common pairings

chicken vindaloo a hot vindaloo

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like vindaloo.

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”.

Word forms

Plural: vindaloos

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He ordered the chicken _____, the hottest dish on the menu.

Etymology

From Portuguese vin d'alho, "wine and garlic sauce," carried to Goa by Portuguese settlers and reworked into a fiery Indian curry.

Origin: Portuguese

Rhymes for vindaloo

oo too moo poo loo foo doo boo woo roo coo goo

See all rhymes for vindaloo →

Frequently asked questions

What does “vindaloo” mean?

The word “vindaloo” means a very hot, tangy curry made with meat marinated in vinegar, garlic, and chilli, originating in Goa. In plain terms, a very hot curry, originally from Goa, known for its sharp, tangy, chilli-heavy sauce.

How do you pronounce “vindaloo”?

“Vindaloo” is pronounced vihn-duh-LOO (/vɪn.dəˈlu/ in IPA).

How do you use “vindaloo” in a sentence?

Here is “vindaloo” used in a sentence: “He ordered the chicken vindaloo, the hottest dish on the menu.”

What part of speech is “vindaloo”?

“Vindaloo” is a noun.

Where does the word “vindaloo” come from?

The word “vindaloo” comes from Portuguese. From Portuguese vin d'alho, "wine and garlic sauce," carried to Goa by Portuguese settlers and reworked into a fiery Indian curry.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include vindaloo:

Words with Portuguese origins