masala
Any of many blends of spices used in Indian cuisine, most often containing cardamom,…Any of many blends of spices used in Indian cuisine, most often containing cardamom, coriander, mace together with pepper, nutmeg, fennel seeds, jeera etc.
» The chicken is worth four annas, and the masala is worth twelve annas.
Meaning
3 senses(countable, uncountable)Any of many blends of spices used in Indian cuisine, most often containing cardamom, coriander, mace together with pepper, nutmeg, fennel seeds, jeera etc.
(countable, uncountable)Any dish prepared with such spices.
We ordered two lamb bhunas and a masala.
(countable, uncountable)Any powder of ground ingredients, not necessarily used in cuisine.
Examples
3 sentencesThe chicken is worth four annas, and the masala is worth twelve annas.
I want a masala dosa.
If America is the best country in the world, how come it doesn't have masala chips?
Origin
Borrowed from Hindustani مصالحہ (maṣālḥa, maṣāliḥa) / मसाला (masālā, “spice(s)”), from ClaBorrowed from Hindustani مصالحہ (maṣālḥa, maṣāliḥa) / मसाला (masālā, “spice(s)”), from Classical Persian مصالح (masālih, “affairs, materials, spices”), plural of مصلحت (maṣlaḥat, “affair, policy, best thing to do”), both from Arabic, derived from صَلَحَ (ṣalaḥa, “be fit, competent, usable”).
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Forms
plural: masalas / masaleWord family
4 related wordsLessons for this word
2 lessons- A1Plural nouns — Because its plural is irregular
- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable