nigiri

noun

ni·​giri ni-ˈgir-ē 

plural nigiri

: a Japanese dish consisting of sliced usually raw seafood on top of a shaped handful of vinegar-dressed rice

Examples of nigiri in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Japanese restaurant opened in 2024 at 6726 Stanford Ranch Road and was known for its sushi rolls, fresh nigiri, and paper hot pot. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Book a sunset seating and pair unctuous langoustine nigiri and wagyu tataki with beautifully balanced cocktails flavored with yuzu, Japanese ume apricots, and cherry blossom. — Rachel Howard, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026

The menu here runs from classic nigiri and sashimi to more elaborate rolls, including the High Street Roll made with tuna belly, salmon belly, uni, and fresh truffle. — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026

During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed a large raw bar installation with oysters, crab, shrimp and a sushi bar with assorted nigiri and rolls. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Japanese, short for nigirizushi, from nigiri, noun correspondent of nigiru "to grasp, form with the hands" + -zushi sushi

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nigiri

• kashmiri
• beery
• bleary
• cheery
• cirri
• dearie
• deary
• dreary
• eerie
• kiri
• leary
• leery