tomalley

noun

to·​mal·​ley tə-ˈma-lē How to pronounce tomalley (audio)
-ˈmä-;
ˈtä-ˌma-lē,
-mə-lē
plural tomalleys
: the liver of the lobster

Examples of tomalley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Remove the tomalley, the soft green substance that runs from the head to the tail, and discard it. Janelle Davis, CNN, 30 Oct. 2022 The sauce shifts, taking on the sweet flavors of the crab shells, meat and tomalley, and the cioppino comes into view. New York Times, 2 May 2022 Remove the green innards (the tomalley), if there is also red visible inside, the lobster was female and this can be left in for flavor and color. Phil Potempa, Post-Tribune, 9 June 2018 Spoon out the green tomalley and red coral (if present) and set aside. Sarah Karnasiewicz, WSJ, 6 July 2017 Remove and discard the lung sacs, leaving the tomalley (the soft green paste). Redbook, 11 July 2011 Pad Thai pops up, albeit wrapped in an omelet and requiring 24 ingredients, including fresh shrimp tomalley. Nick Kindelsperger, star-telegram, 27 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tomalley.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Carib tumali sauce of lobster livers

First Known Use

circa 1666, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tomalley was circa 1666

Dictionary Entries Near tomalley

Cite this Entry

“Tomalley.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tomalley. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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