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.
Chicken tikka masala, according to the restaurant's owner. Khloe Quill , Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 2026 Dishes like Indian street corn, pumpkin chana masala, and spicy seafood soup drive home the restaurant’s emphasis on spices and herbs, and an open-air setting allows diners to bask in the sounds and smells of the surrounding rainforest. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2026 Ghaznavi, who hails from Lahore, Pakistan, makes her masala chai with black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, ginger, mint, and, crucially, evaporated milk. Maryam Ghaznavi, Saveur, 18 Feb. 2026 The downstairs pub offers a casual vibe with classics on the menu such as burgers, fish & chips and tikka masala curry. Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Feb. 2026 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 16 Mar. 2026.

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