condiment
Americannoun
-
condiments
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of condiment
1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French < Latin condīmentum spice, equivalent to condī ( re ) to season + -mentum -ment
Explanation
A condiment adds flavor to food. Ketchup and mustard are popular condiments. Most people use condiments when they eat. There are lots of salad dressings, and they're all condiments. If you put relish on a hot dog, that's a condiment too. Barbecue sauce and blue cheese are condiments as well. If it's an extra thing — especially a sauce like ranch dressing — and it makes food taste better, it's probably a condiment.
Vocabulary lists containing condiment
Words to Know Before You Defrost the Bird
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for August 6–August 12, 2022
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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.
See Examples For:
The Americans, in turn, claimed to be able to identify the enemy by the distinctive odor of nuoc mam, the fermented-fish condiment that is a staple of Vietnamese cooking.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
Starbucks has been winning back customers with changes that range from bringing back the condiment bar to getting rid of a surcharge for nondairy milk.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
So do dads carrying old-school Igloo coolers, each of whom, I suspect, has strongly held beliefs about bread density, condiment placement and whether tomatoes are worth the risk.
From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2026
In the short term, new Heinz condiment stations and custom-designed equipment will be installed throughout the parks, the companies said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
When Ron asks for a volunteer to restock the condiment bar, I gladly offer.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
They have a great all-you-can-eat menu with really great meats and an assortment of sauces and condiments.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
It’s No. 2 for American beef, soy, baked goods, vegetables, prepared foods and condiments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
An investigation into the unsung hero of condiments: Relish is the ideal summer ingredient.
From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026
So here’s a look at some of the star players, brands — and even condiments and comfort foods — that have already won this year’s World Cup.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026
“Yeah, Google was pretty useless in that regard,” Maya said as she arranged her condiments in front of her.
From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway
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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.
