ghee
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of ghee
First recorded in 1655–65, ghee is from the Hindi word ghī
Explanation
Ghee is butter that's been melted and allowed to separate, leaving just the clear butterfat. If you've ever dined on Indian food, you've probably eaten ghee. When butter is clarified, it's simmered until any water evaporates and all the extra solid particles of milk sink to the bottom or float on top. Once these are skimmed off, what's left behind is ghee. In South Asian cuisines, ghee is a common fat used in many dishes. It also holds an important place in some Hindu rituals, as cows, and products made from their milk, are considered sacred.
Vocabulary lists containing ghee
South Asia - Introductory
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South Asia - Middle School and High School
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Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 5
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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.
In her recipe for classic Gulab Jamun, Selvaraju starts with whole milk, ghee and milk powder, which are mixed and combined in a heated nonstick pan to create a thick paste.
From Salon • Oct. 21, 2025
A board spokesperson told reporters that they were sourcing ghee from five companies via tenders.
From BBC • Sep. 26, 2024
I love the sizzle of the hot, spiced ghee when it is poured into the lentils, the way that dal envelops a bowl of rice like a hug.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2024
A can of ghee now costs an extra $7.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2023
Salma aunty chatters happily as she rolls her dough out like pizza, but instead of tomato sauce, she tops it with special butter called ghee.
From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
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.
