# dahl

/ˈdɑɫ/ (US) · /dˈɑːl/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dahl
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a thick South Asian soup or stew made from dried lentils, peas, or beans. It is usually eaten with rice or bread.

For teachers: a South Asian dish composed of pulses that have been stripped of their outer hulls and split. Refers both to the raw ingredient and the prepared thick stew.

## Examples

- I made a spicy red lentil dahl for dinner.
- The restaurant serves a variety of dahl dishes, ranging from creamy black lentils to yellow split peas with spinach.
- While regional variations exist across the subcontinent, a basic dahl remains a nutritional staple, providing a primary source of protein when paired with flatbreads or steamed rice.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the substance or the raw pulses; countable when referring to specific varieties or menu items.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.