ceviche

American  

[suh-vee-chey, ‑chee] / səˈvi tʃeɪ, ‑tʃi /

Or seviche

noun

• ceviches
  plural

1. an appetizer of small pieces of raw fish marinated in lime or lemon juice, often with onions, peppers, and spices.

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Usage

What is ceviche? Ceviche is an appetizer dish consisting of raw fish marinated in citrus juice and including ingredients like peppers, onions, and spices. Popular in South America, ceviche generally features chunked fish marinated in lime juice served with sliced white or red onions and chilies. Sea bass, tuna, and shrimp are common choices for the fish, while lemon or bitter orange juice may be used instead of lime. You may even find vegetarian ceviche, with vegetables like mushrooms or artichokes used instead of fish. As long as the base for the dish is served cold and features citrus curing, it could be referred to as a type of ceviche. Ceviche is also spelled seviche. Example: The restaurant offered Sofia and Carlos complementary scallop ceviche because it was their anniversary.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• ceviches
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ceviche

First recorded in 1950–55; from Latin American Spanish (Peru, Ecuador, etc.) cebiche, ceviche, seviche, possibly a derivative of Spanish cebo “fodder, fish pieces used for bait,” from Latin cibus “food”; possibly from Spanish Arabic assukkabāj, from Arabic sikbāj “meat cooked in vinegar,” from unrecorded Middle Persian sikbāg (equivalent to sik “vinegar”+ bāg “food, broth”)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ceviche ceviches

In Lima, we were treated to glistening bowls of ceviche and plates of tiradito, each more delicious than the last, and soup bowls piled high with the most vibrantly orange uni you’ve ever seen.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

It’s the cool slickness of a ceviche tostada.

From Salon ● Jun. 9, 2026

Instead of damaging the coral reefs, these mohawked creatures end up on a plate later that day in ceviche or sashimi form.

From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2026

Fetching ingredients from a fridge decorated with magnetic letters and arts and crafts, Linda preps homemade guacamole to go with ceviche from the market.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2025

He nearly spilled his ceviche all over himself.

From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya

They’ve added tableside guacamole, saucy mixed-seafood ceviches and a family-style dish that will turn heads from across the dining room.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 18, 2019

Shrimp rules the menu, in ceviches and beyond.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2019

Holbox is a seafood counter that features enormous blood clams and snappingly fresh ceviches.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 19, 2018

Tacos, ceviches and other Mexican staples are on the menu.

From New York Times ● Jun. 5, 2018

On the menu, you’ll find ceviches and causas, smaller dishes to share, including an excellent barbecued roast octopus with black mashed potatoes.

From New York Times ● Apr. 19, 2018