roti

¹ American  

[roh-tee] / ˈroʊ ti /

noun

1. any of various unleavened, usually whole wheat flatbreads common in South and Southeast Asia and the Caribbean.

2. (in the Caribbean) flatbread wrapped around a filling of usually curried meat, fish, shellfish, or vegetables.

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rôti ² American  

[roh-tee] / roʊˈti /

noun

French.

1. roast.

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roti British  

/ ˈrəʊtɪ, ˈrʊtɪ /

noun

1. (in India and the Caribbean) a type of unleavened bread

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Etymology

Origin of roti

First recorded in 1830–40; from Hindi, Urdu roṭī “bread,” from Prakrit roṭṭa “rice flour”

Explanation

A roti is a South Asian flatbread made with whole wheat flour. The next time you order your favorite dishes from an Indian restaurant, get some roti too! In India, a roti is also known as a chapati. These tasty round breads are cooked on a flat grill or in a Tandoor oven, and they're often used to scoop up curries and vegetable dishes. Many other cuisines have a variation on the basic roti. In many Caribbean countries, the word can also refer to a popular sandwich made by wrapping a roti around a savory filling. Roti comes from the Sanskrit word roṭikā, or "bread."

Example Sentences

Dinner at Kabawa in New York’s East Village begins with “buss-up shut,” a flaky Trinidadian flatbread derived from Indian paratha roti.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

The men are getting regular food deliveries - daal, roti, vegetables and fresh fruit - through a small pipe, and officials say the group is in good health.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2023

His surviving livestock — six goats, one cow and a few chickens — stood on one side of the room, while his 10-year old sister, Bakhtawa, cooked roti bread over an open flame.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2022

In Pakistan, most people consume roti, a flatbread similar to India’s naan.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 15, 2022

After only eating old roti and dal and not much water, it was like eating a fruit custard made out of honey and butter.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani