hummus
Americannoun
noun
Commonly Confused
See humus
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of hummus
First recorded in 1950–55; from Turkish humus “mashed chickpeas,” or from Arabic ḥummuṣ, ḥəmmoṣ “chickpeas”
Compare meaning
How does hummus compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Hummus is a Middle Eastern food made of mashed chickpeas. If you want a delicious and healthy lunch, try hummus stuffed in a whole wheat pita with tomatoes, cucumber, and grilled eggplant. There are many varieties of hummus, but the classic recipe includes sesame paste (also called tahini), chickpeas, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Hummus is sometimes served as a dip with pita or as a spread inside a sandwich. While it originated in the Middle East, hummus is common all over the world today. Its full Arabic name is ḥummuṣ bi ṭaḥīna, or "chickpeas with tahini."
Vocabulary lists containing hummus
English Food and Drink Words Derived from Arabic
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
World Cuisine - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
World Cuisine - Middle School and High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
There's TJ's Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, a revamped rendition of a fan-favorite classic.
From Salon • Jun. 16, 2023
Hummus long ago surpassed its roots as a Middle Eastern staple to become a familiar treat around the globe.
From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2022
Hummus maker Sabra Dipping Company is keeping ample supplies on hand "to safeguard against the unexpected," Chief Executive Joey Bergstein told Reuters.
From Reuters • Jul. 6, 2022
Hummus for $18 sounds ridiculous until you spy a bowl of lemony mashed rice peas — an heirloom field pea — and enough chilled vegetables to throw a block party.
From Washington Post • Jun. 23, 2021
The Hummus Café in Greenwood recently launched a new Egyptian and Mediterranean brunch concept called Afrangie, but then shut it down after Gov. Jay Inslee’s latest indoor dining ban.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 23, 2021
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.
