Word
yam
US/ˈjæm/
UK/jˈæm/
Definition
n. a large root vegetable with brown skin and white or orange flesh that grows in warm climates. It is similar to a sweet potato but usually less sweet and more starchy.
n. the edible starchy tuber of various climbing plants in the genus Dioscorea, widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. Often confused with the sweet potato in North American culinary contexts.
Examples
“We roasted a large yam for dinner.”
“In many West African cultures, the yam is a staple food and is often pounded into a thick dough called fufu.”
“While the botanical distinction between tubers is clear, many supermarkets mislabel orange-fleshed sweet potatoes as yams, leading to persistent confusion among consumers regarding their nutritional profiles and cooking times.”
Examples
simple
“We roasted a large yam for dinner.”
contextual
“In many West African cultures, the yam is a staple food and is often pounded into a thick dough called fufu.”
complex
“While the botanical distinction between tubers is clear, many supermarkets mislabel orange-fleshed sweet potatoes as yams, leading to persistent confusion among consumers regarding their nutritional profiles and cooking times.”
Usage
Countable when referring to the individual tuber; uncountable when referring to the food as a substance.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/yam