Word
okra
US/ˈoʊkɹə/
UK/ˈəʊkɹɐ/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a long green vegetable that becomes soft and a little sticky when cooked. You often see it in soups, stews, and fried dishes.
n. a tall tropical plant cultivated for its edible green seed pods, also the pods themselves, valued for the thick texture they give to soups and stews when cooked.
Examples
“She adds fresh okra to the vegetable soup.”
“He buys okra at the market every Saturday to cook a spicy stew for his family.”
“When sliced and simmered slowly, okra thickens the gumbo while lending a subtle earthy flavour that balances the heat of the spices.”
Examples
simple
“She adds fresh okra to the vegetable soup.”
contextual
“He buys okra at the market every Saturday to cook a spicy stew for his family.”
complex
“When sliced and simmered slowly, okra thickens the gumbo while lending a subtle earthy flavour that balances the heat of the spices.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “okra” in context.
Verb
01. add okra
“Add okra to the gumbo and simmer for ten minutes.”
verb + noun
02. fry okra
“Fry okra in a little oil until the edges turn golden.”
verb + noun
03. okra grows
“Okra grows well in hot, sunny weather.”
noun + verb
04. okra softens
“Okra softens quickly when simmered in broth.”
noun + verb
05. okra thickens
“Okra thickens the stew naturally as it cooks.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. fresh okra
“She bought fresh okra at the morning market for soup.”
adj + noun
07. pickled okra
“They served pickled okra as a tangy side dish.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. bowl of okra
“He brought a bowl of okra from the garden.”
noun + prep + noun
09. a pod of fresh okra
“She picked a pod of fresh okra from the plant.”
10. add okra to stew
“Add okra to the stew in the last fifteen minutes.”
11. cook okra with tomatoes
“Many families cook okra with tomatoes and garlic.”
12. fry okra until crispy
“Fry okra until crispy and serve it with lemon.”
Etymology
From an unknown West African language, probably Igbo ọ́kụ̀rụ̀ but cf. Akan ŋkrũmã and ŋkrakra (“broth”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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