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Gumbo refers to an aromatic soup of the Creole cuisine of Louisiana, combining African, Indigenous North American, and European elements. It takes its name from the American French word gombo, which in turn is of Bantu origin and related to the Umbundu word ochinggômbo, meaning “okra.” Okra usually plays a starring role in gumbo as a thickener (unless the soup is thickened by filé, powdered young sassafras leaves) alongside the holy trinity of celery, onion, and bell pepper, and any number of additional ingredients, from seafood (shrimp, crab, or oysters) to meat (chicken, sausage, duck, or game) to leafy greens. The variety of ingredients and ways to prepare the dish eventually led to the figurative sense of gumbo referring to a variety, mixture, or mélange of things, as in “a gumbo of ideas.”
Examples of gumbo in a Sentence
Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Spoon some into your gumbo instead of rice for a truly authentic treat.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 16 May 2026
Naan and gumbo, kimchi and chow chow companionably share the menu.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
This trio sets the foundation for many of the cuisine’s signature dishes, including étouffée, jambalaya, and gumbo.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Gumbo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gumbo. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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