garam masala

[ guhr-uhm muh-sah-luh, guh-rahm ]

/ ˈgʌr əm məˈsɑ lə, gəˈrɑm /

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noun

an aromatic mixture of ground spices used in Indian cuisine, usually containing black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, nutmeg, and turmeric.

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Origin of garam masala

First recorded in 1950–55; from Urdu garam masālā, literally, “hot spices”

Words nearby garam masala

garage, garage band, garageman, garage sale, garaging, garam masala, Garamond, Garand, Garand rifle, garb, garbage

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use garam masala in a sentence

Meat and potatoes take on new meaning when they’re given the Burmese treatment — cooked with pungent herbs and garam masala — and presented as a pleasantly sour beef curry.
2021 Fall Dining Guide|Tom Sietsema|October 6, 2021|Washington Post
Marinated in garam masala and finished with a brown onion gravy, it’s a high-rise of soft red meat paired with mashed potatoes made great and gold with turmeric and mustard seed.
Twin bistros in Northern Virginia put a personal spin on Indian cooking|Tom Sietsema|March 5, 2021|Washington Post
There is a sort of alchemy of the masala in some ways, and that journey is parallel to the emotional journey he takes.
Today's Special Spices Up the Big Screen|Shefali Kulkarni|November 23, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Pad Thai, coconut soup, tikka masala, curried goat, sashimi, and crudo.
A 'True Prep' Primer|Spencer Bailey|September 6, 2010|DAILY BEAST

This was an England where chicken tikka masala was not yet the most popular dish in the country!
My Mother's Last Sari|Madhulika Sikka|May 7, 2010|DAILY BEAST
But Anupama Chopra says the show lacks the color, music, or masala to rival Slumdog Millionaire.
Slumdog Comedian|Anupama Chopra|August 4, 2009|DAILY BEAST
I must have onions, pepper, salt, and chillies— Mahu-lah bawang lada garam sama chabei.
A Manual of the Malay language|William Edward Maxwell
"They lost themselves in doing it," replied Garam, impatiently.
The Red Lily, Complete|Anatole France
Those who take too much of masala are often found to suffer from anaemia, and even from diarrhea.
A Guide to Health|Mahatma Gandhi
Why, in that case the umbrella will be in the Garam too, probably.
St. Peter's Umbrella|Klmn Mikszth

British Dictionary definitions for garam masala

garam masala

/ (ˈɡɑːrəm mɑːˈsɑːlə) /

noun

an aromatic mixture of spices, extensively used in curries

Word Origin for garam masala

from Hindi

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