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

Top meatballs and pilaf with mint leaves (if using) and more pistachios, raisins, and feta. —Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

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

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