noun

wasabi

wuh-SAH-bee

Wasabi (noun) means a Japanese plant grown for its sharp, spicy root, related to horseradish and mustard. Example: “Wasabi is traditionally grated fresh just before serving.”

noun

A Japanese plant grown for its sharp, spicy root, related to horseradish and mustard.

"Wasabi is traditionally grated fresh just before serving."

"The farmer grows wasabi in shallow, cold mountain streams."

The bright green, intensely spicy paste made from that root, served with sushi and other Japanese dishes.

"She dabbed a tiny bit of wasabi onto the sushi."

"Too much wasabi will make your eyes water instantly."

A cheaper imitation made from horseradish, mustard powder, and green colouring, used in place of the real root.

"Most restaurants outside Japan actually serve imitation wasabi."

How to use wasabi

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA very spicy green Japanese condiment made from a root plant, usually served alongside sushi.

Common mistake

Real wasabi root is rare and expensive; almost everything labelled "wasabi" outside Japan is horseradish dyed green.

Common pairings

a dab of wasabi wasabi paste fresh wasabi

Word forms

wasabis plural

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Can you complete this real example?

_____ is traditionally grated fresh just before serving.

Etymology

Borrowed directly from the Japanese word 山葵 (wasabi).

Origin: Japanese

Synonyms

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Japanese horseradish green mustard

Rhymes for wasabi

Abi gabi Punjabi

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Frequently asked questions

What does “wasabi” mean?

The word “wasabi” means a Japanese plant grown for its sharp, spicy root, related to horseradish and mustard. In plain terms, a very spicy green Japanese condiment made from a root plant, usually served alongside sushi.

How do you pronounce “wasabi”?

“Wasabi” is pronounced wuh-SAH-bee (/wəˈsɑːbi/ in IPA).

How do you use “wasabi” in a sentence?

Here is “wasabi” used in a sentence: “Wasabi is traditionally grated fresh just before serving.”

What is another word for “wasabi”?

Words with a similar meaning to “wasabi” include Japanese horseradish and green mustard.

What part of speech is “wasabi”?

“Wasabi” is a noun.

Where does the word “wasabi” come from?

The word “wasabi” comes from Japanese. Borrowed directly from the Japanese word 山葵 (wasabi).

How many meanings does “wasabi” have?

“Wasabi” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a Japanese plant grown for its sharp, spicy root, related to horseradish and mustard.

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Vocabulary lists that include wasabi:

Words with Japanese origins