nigiri

American  

[ni-geer-ee] / nɪˈgɪər i /

Sometimes nigiri-zushi

noun

Japanese Cooking.

1. cold boiled rice moistened with rice vinegar, shaped into bite-size pieces and topped with raw seafood.

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nigiri British  

/ niːˈɡiːriː /

noun

1. (in Japanese cuisine) a small oval block of cold rice topped with wasabi and a thin slice of fish, prawn, etc, and sometimes held together by a thin band of seaweed

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Etymology

Origin of nigiri

First recorded in 1945–50; from Japanese nigiri-zushi, literally, “hand-pressed sushi, rolled sushi,” from nigiri “a gripping or grasping, handmade rice ball,” from nigiru “to grip, grasp, roll a lump of rice in the hand” + -zushi, combining form of sushi ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does nigiri compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• nigiri vs. sushi

Example Sentences

But whipping up one of her full-scale smorgasbords of sprinkled donuts, popcorn and nigiri for a gallery display isn’t mere child’s play.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

A new sushi station will feature five chefs preparing handrolls and nigiri.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Two pieces of nigiri, typically raw fish with rice, tend to cost just under $4 at Kura Sushi, which can easily be double that at other restaurants, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

Most are reserved for the dinner hour, when diners have the time to leisurely enjoy nigiri one bite at a time.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

Hideki Matsuyama, the first champion from Japan, in 2022 splurged with sashimi, nigiri sushi and Wagyu beef.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2025