pilaf

noun

pi·​laf pi-ˈläf 

-ˈlȯf;

ˈpē-ˌläf, 

-ˌlȯf 

variants or less commonly pilaff

pi-ˈläf 

-ˈlȯf;

ˈpē-ˌläf, 

-ˌlȯf

or pilau

pi-ˈlō  -ˈlȯ 

ˈpē-(ˌ)lō, 

-ˌlȯ;

Southern often ˈpər-(ˌ)lü, 

-(ˌ)lō

or pilaw

pi-ˈlō 

-ˈlȯ, 

ˈpē-(ˌ)lō, 

-ˌlȯ;

Southern often ˈpər-(ˌ)lü, 

-(ˌ)lō

: a dish made of seasoned rice and often meat

Examples of pilaf in a Sentence

a serving of rice pilaf

Recent Examples on the Web

Opt for saffron water in grain dishes, like rice pilaf and Biryani, a South Asian mixed rice dish. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 12 Dec. 2025

It’s made of spiced chicken thighs, garlic yogurt, sumac onions served with rice pilaf. —Richard Guzman, Daily News, 3 Nov. 2025

Truva Turkish Kitchen is known for its classics, including lamb shish kebabs marinated in a special sauce and served with veggies and bulgur pilaf. —Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025

Then lift the lid and fluff the pilaf with the tines of a large fork and serve. —Bill St. John, Denver Post, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Turkish & Persian; Turkish pilav, from Persian pilāv

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pilaf

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

pilaf

noun

pi·​laf

variants also pilaff

pi-ˈläf  ˈpē-ˌläf 

or pilau

pi-ˈlō 

-ˈlȯ, 

ˈpē-;

Southern often ˈpər-lü, 

-lō

: a dish made of seasoned rice and often meat