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.
I need my organic eggs, my strawberries, my lemons, my lemongrass, my hummus and my ghee.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
For Indian cuisine, consider stocking turmeric, garam masala, mustard seeds, curry leaves and ghee.
From Salon • Jan. 2, 2025
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
If you happen to have ghee on hand, use it in place of butter for a subtly richer, more nuanced flavor.
From Washington Times • Dec. 11, 2023
From the food stalls came the spluttering of ghee and oil as bread and pancakes were fried, ready for the early worshippers who would soon be coming.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
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.
