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arugula

American

[uh-roo-guh-luh] / əˈru gə lə /

noun

a Mediterranean plant, Eruca vesicaria sativa, of the mustard family, having pungent leaves used in salads.

arugula British

/ əˈruːɡjʊlə /

noun

another name for rocket 2

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of arugula

1965–70; apparently < an Upper Italian dial. form, akin to Lombard arigola, Venetian rucola < Latin ērūca name for Eruca sativa (compare Italian ruca ), with diminutive suffix -ola < Latin -ula -ule; rocket ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the meantime, combine the arugula and kale in a large bowl.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2026

I’ll often serve it with an arugula salad.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

A mix of massaged kale and arugula, spritzed with more lemon zest and finished with flaky salt.

From Salon • Jan. 13, 2026

It’s equally at home as a Tuesday night dinner for friends, especially with a sharp arugula salad on the side — peppery leaves glossed in a citrus vinaigrette that cuts through the butter and cheese.

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2025

“Any arugula stuck in there, or am I in the clear?”

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023