# nutmeg

/ˈnətˌmɛɡ/ (US) · /nˈʌtmɛɡ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nutmeg
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the spice

noun · CEFR B2

a hard, brown seed that is ground into a powder and used to add flavor to food.

For teachers: the aromatic seed of the evergreen tree Myristica fragrans, typically grated or ground for use as a culinary spice.

- She added a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce to give it a warm flavor.
- The recipe calls for freshly grated nutmeg, which provides a more potent aroma than the pre-ground variety found in most supermarkets.

### 2. sports move

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a move in football where a player kicks the ball through an opponent's legs.

For teachers: a skill move in association football or field hockey in which a player kicks or pushes the ball between an opponent's legs.

- The crowd cheered when the striker performed a perfect nutmeg on the defender.
- Executing a successful nutmeg requires not only technical precision but also the ability to anticipate the defender's stride pattern.

### 3. to kick through legs

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to kick the ball between an opponent's legs during a game.

For teachers: to successfully pass the ball through the legs of a defending player. Transitive — takes the player being beaten as the direct object.

- He managed to nutmeg the goalkeeper and score a brilliant goal.
- The winger was known for his flair, often attempting to nutmeg his markers rather than simply sprinting past them.

## Examples

- The crowd cheered when the winger pulled off a perfect nutmeg.
- He managed to escape the defender by using a clever nutmeg and sprinting toward the goal.
- While technically impressive, the midfielder's frequent attempts at a nutmeg were criticized by the coach as being unnecessarily risky during high-stakes defensive transitions.

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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.