masala
Britishnoun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of masala
from Urdu masalah, from Arabic masalih ingredients
Explanation
In South Asian food, masala is the particular mix of spices that makes a dish taste so good. Depending on the masala you use, your curry may be extra spicy! Many Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani cooks make their own special masalas for different dishes. A chickpea curry might use a masala that's heavy on the dried chiles, while a spicy, milky chai would be made with a masala that includes cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and other spices. Masala, borrowed from the Urdu masālā, "blend of spices," has an Arabic root.
Vocabulary lists containing masala
Foods from Asia
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5th Grade World Cuisine, List 1
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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.
For the main course, I enjoyed a classic — butter chicken — alongside a poached lobster tail in a green coconut masala with Mexican chili and coriander-mint purée.
From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026
The garam masala brings a low burn and deep perfume.
From Salon • Aug. 12, 2025
He also recalled how their relationship was sealed "over a tandoori chicken masala, four poppadoms and three pints of lager" after meeting on TV drama The Gambling Man in 1992.
From BBC • Oct. 13, 2024
Will jollof or efo riro follow in the footsteps of tikka masala or chow mein to become UK favourites?
From BBC • Oct. 1, 2024
Over saag paneer and chicken tikka masala, Mrs. Richardson put her hand on Elizabeth’s arm.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
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.
