English Reference

Word

mozzarella

Phoneticsmoz·zarel·la

UK/mˌɒzəɹˈɛlɐ/

Definitions

01cheese

A2 · Cooking

n. a soft, white Italian cheese that melts easily and is very popular on pizza.

n. a mild, white semi-soft Italian cheese made from the milk of water buffaloes or cows, typically used in salads or as a melted topping.

“The chef added fresh mozzarella and basil to the top of the pizza.”

“Authentic mozzarella di bufala is prized for its creamy texture and delicate flavour, making it a staple of traditional Neapolitan cuisine.”

02money

C1

n. a slang word for money.

n. a slang term for money or cash, similar to 'dough' or 'bread'.

“He's working two jobs because he needs to make some extra mozzarella.”

“The characters in the film spent the entire night arguing over how to split the mozzarella they had stolen from the safe.”

Slang · American English

Usage

Usually uncountable when used in this sense.

Synonyms

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian mozzarella, from mozzare (“to cut off”), from Latin mutilare. The meaning of money derives from the early Bay Area hip-hop scene since early and is found for various food terms, including cheddar and cheese.

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

This entry

Level
A2 · Elementary
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference