garlic

American  

[gahr-lik] / ˈgɑr lɪk /

noun

1. a hardy plant, Allium sativum, of the amaryllis family, whose strongly pungent bulb is used in cooking and medicine.

2. any of various plants of the genus Allium related to the familiar culinary garlic A. sativum.

3. the bulb of Allium sativum, consisting of smaller bulbs, or cloves, used in cooking, sometimes in the form of a powder, a paste, or minced pieces.

4. the flavor or smell of this bulb.

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adjective

1. cooked, flavored, or seasoned with garlic, the pungent bulb of the Allium sativum plant.

   garlic bread;

   garlic salt.

2. of or relating to garlic.

garlic British  

/ ˈɡɑːlɪk /

noun

1. a hardy widely cultivated Asian alliaceous plant, Allium sativum, having a stem bearing whitish flowers and bulbils

2. 1. the bulb of this plant, made up of small segments (cloves) that have a strong odour and pungent taste and are used in cooking

   2. ( as modifier )

      a garlic taste

3. any of various other plants of the genus Allium

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Other Word Forms

• garlicked
  adjective
• garlicky
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of garlic

First recorded before 1000; Middle English garlec, Old English gārlēac ( gar “spear”, cognate with German Ger, + lēac leek )

Example Sentences

Blend black beans with garlic, lime juice, olive oil, and spices until smooth.

From Salon • May 5, 2026

A doctor has been struck off after running an unregistered clinic and charging cancer patients £15,000 for bogus "cures" with garlic oil and vitamin C.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

The tribunal heard he intravenously administered vitamin C and garlic oil to both patients as a treatment for cancer and reused intravenous bags, exposing patients to risk of serious infection.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

He recommends starting with fresh garlic, as opposed to garlic that has already been canned or jarred.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

Bunnicula was out of his cage on the floor, while Chester stood in front of him, a piece of garlic around his neck and his arms outstretched, blocking the kitchen door.

From "Bunnicula" by Deborah Howe and James Howe