baklava
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of baklava
Borrowed into English from Turkish around 1815–25
Explanation
Baklava is a delicious, flaky dessert made with thin sheets of dough soaked in honey and layered with nuts. You can usually find baklava on the menu at Greek and Turkish restaurants. Baklava is made by layering sheets of the unleavened dough called phyllo, brushing each with butter and honey, tucking chopped nuts in between, and baking it. Baklava is Turkish, possibly from a Mongolian root meaning "to wrap up or pile up." Baklava is part of the cuisine of many Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Central Asian countries, but it probably originated in Istanbul during the Ottoman Empire. It's a sweet, rich way to end a tasty meal.
Vocabulary lists containing baklava
World Cuisine - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
World Cuisine - Middle School and High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
5th Grade World Cuisine, List 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
A 2-ounce kiddie cup with a topping like shredded baklava will set you back about $10 with tax.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Don’t forget the in-house garlic sauce, or the baklava for dessert.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026
A Persian baklava dressed with golden shards of filo pastry.
From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2026
Skip the baklava and finish with the basque cheesecake.
From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2025
Mima has also made baklava for dessert, and it’s soaking up the sugary syrup she has poured over the flaky layers of pastry and walnuts.
From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
