Word
tamarind
UK/tˈæməɹˌɪnd/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a sour brown fruit that grows in long pods on a tropical tree. You use its sticky pulp to give a sour taste to curries, sauces, and drinks.
n. a tropical evergreen tree bearing long brown pods with sour, sticky pulp; also the fruit or pulp itself, widely used as a souring agent in South Asian, Southeast Asian, Latin American, and Middle Eastern cooking.
Examples
“She adds tamarind to the soup for a sour taste.”
“The market stall sells fresh tamarind pods and jars of sweet-sour tamarind paste for cooking.”
“Slow-simmered with lentils and spices, tamarind lends the dish a deep sourness that balances heat with a faint, date-like sweetness.”
Examples
simple
“She adds tamarind to the soup for a sour taste.”
contextual
“The market stall sells fresh tamarind pods and jars of sweet-sour tamarind paste for cooking.”
complex
“Slow-simmered with lentils and spices, tamarind lends the dish a deep sourness that balances heat with a faint, date-like sweetness.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “tamarind” in context.
Verb
01. add tamarind
“Add tamarind to the soup for a pleasant sour flavour.”
verb + noun
02. cook with tamarind
“Many families in the south cook with tamarind every day.”
verb + prep + noun
03. flavour with tamarind
“This drink is flavoured with tamarind, lime and sugar.”
verb + prep + noun
04. season with tamarind
“She seasoned the fish curry with tamarind and chilli.”
verb + prep + noun
05. soak tamarind
“Soak tamarind in warm water for ten minutes before cooking.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. dried tamarind
“We bought a block of dried tamarind from the Asian market.”
adj + noun
07. fresh tamarind
“Fresh tamarind is sticky, sour and full of seeds.”
adj + noun
08. ripe tamarind
“Ripe tamarind has dark brown pulp and a sweet-sour flavour.”
adj + noun
09. a spoonful of tamarind paste
“Add a spoonful of tamarind paste to balance the sweetness.”
10. flavoured with tamarind pulp
“The sauce is flavoured with tamarind pulp and palm sugar.”
11. made with fresh tamarind juice
“This cooler is made with fresh tamarind juice and honey.”
12. soak the tamarind in water
“Soak the tamarind in water until it becomes soft and pulpy.”
Usage
Refers to the tree, the pod-like fruit, or the cooking pulp; common collocations are 'tamarind paste', 'tamarind sauce', and 'tamarind tree'.
Real-World Examples
“In Mexico, suan mei took on the bold flavors of local dried chiles, such as guajillo and árbol, and the rich, molasses-like depth of tamarind, a tart fruit native to Africa now found in Mexican candies and aguas frescas.” “With its caramel-like tang and pleasant pucker, tamarind enlivens the marinade for fish fillets in this simple baked fish recipe.” “There is nothing quite like the tangy, sweet and sour sensation of tamarind, the main ingredient in this essential Indian chutney.” “Tamarind paste is fantastic: it offers a balanced blend of sweetness, tartness, and sourness, derived from the pulp of the tamarind fruit, which is interestingly classified as a legume.” Etymology
From Late Middle English thamarynde, from Old French tamarinde, from Medieval Latin tamarindus, from Arabic تَمْر هِنْدِيّ (tamr hindiyy, literally “Indian date”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domains
- 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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