English Reference
Noun

condiment

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈkɑndəmənt/ UK /kˈɒndɪmənt/ condi·ment UK spelling condiments

n.a substance like salt, pepper, or vinegar that you add to food to improve its taste. It is usually used in small amounts to make a dish more interesting.

n.a substance added to food to enhance its flavour, such as salt, pepper, or vinegar. Often used in small quantities to season a dish.


CONTEXTUAL

The chef served the grilled steak with a side of spicy mustard as a condiment to balance the richness.

COMPLEX

While some cultures rely heavily on fermented sauces as a primary condiment, others prefer to keep their dishes simple with just a pinch of sea salt and a drizzle of olive oil.


From late Middle English condiment, from Old French condiment, from Latin condimentum, from condīre (“to preserve, pickle, season”). See also condite and compare recondite.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin condimentum
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated