masala

noun

ma·​sa·​la mä-ˈsä-lä How to pronounce masala (audio)
-lə
mə-
: a varying blend of spices used in Indian cooking

Examples of masala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Alcohol will not be served at the restaurant, but guests can order juices, lassi, rose milk, masala chai tea, madras coffee and traditional nannari sharbath, an iced drink made from lemon juice and Indian sarsaparilla. Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 16 Dec. 2025 While pumpkin pie spice tends to be very cinnamon-forward, cinnamon takes more of a back seat in Spicewalla’s chai masala, which packs more heat than pumpkin spice thanks to the pepper and cloves included in the mix. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2025 Chicken tikka masala is on the menu, alongside lamb chops, butter chicken, garlic naan and other traditional Indian dishes. Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025 Chai masala connoisseurs assemble! Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for masala

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Urdu masālā materials, ingredients, spices

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of masala was in 1780

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Masala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masala. Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.

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