cumin

American  

[kuhm-uhn, koom-, koo-muhn, kyoo-] / ˈkʌm ən, ˈkʊm-, ˈku mən, ˈkju- /

noun

• cumins
  plural

1. a small plant, Cuminum cyminum, of the parsley family, bearing aromatic, seedlike fruit, used in cooking and medicine.

2. the aromatic fruit or seeds of Cuminum cyminum.

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cumin British  

/ ˈkʌmɪn /

noun

1. an umbelliferous Mediterranean plant, Cuminum cyminum, with finely divided leaves and small white or pink flowers

2. the aromatic seeds (collectively) of this plant, used as a condiment and a flavouring

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cumins
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of cumin

First recorded before 900; Middle English comyn, cumin (from Old French comin ) from Latin cumīnum, from Greek kýmīnon, from Semitic (compare Arabic kammūn, Hebrew kammōn cumin); replacing Old English cymen from Latin, as above

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Compare meaning

How does cumin compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• black cumin vs. cumin

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cumin

In the markets of old Dubai, saffron, cumin, pistachios and almonds from Iran still fill the stalls, as if the two shores of the Gulf were not separated by war.

From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026

He used to make spaghetti Bolognese with cumin and coriander in it, so Western and Italian cuisine with Indian influences is comforting to me.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

Some nights I lean toward spice, blooming coriander, cumin, turmeric and red pepper flakes alongside frozen ginger and garlic cubes.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

Stir it with spices— paprika, cumin, garlic, whatever you have — coat chicken or salmon, and let it sit for as long as you remember to.

From Salon ● Apr. 28, 2026

It was on the way to the village where Sass sent me to buy some chilis and a paper of cumin that the idea came to me.

From "Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan

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