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
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World Cuisine - Middle School and High School
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5th Grade World Cuisine, List 1
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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.
“This one’s on the house,” the manager said and placed a plate of baklava between us.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
Their first post captured Ararat El-Rawi, bursting with energy as he served them a multicourse meal including tabbouleh, lamb burgers, spinach pie, baklava and endless wine.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
The phone numbers on the website are also currently listed online as the contacts for a Houston baklava caterer, a Dallas-area taxi service and an OB-GYN office.
From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2026
A Persian baklava dressed with golden shards of filo pastry.
From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2026
I handed out napkins and my dad served pieces of gooey, crispy baklava.
From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
