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Definition of arrowroot
arrowroot
/ˈær.oʊˌruːt/
ar · row · root
Plural:arrowroots
arrowroot Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
An easily digestible, fine white starch obtained from the rhizomes of several tropical plants, widely used as a neutral, clear thickening agent in cooking and baking.
Example
"She used a tablespoon of arrowroot to thicken the fruit glaze for the tart without making it cloudy."
2
A tropical herbaceous plant of the family Marantaceae, native to the Americas and the Caribbean, cultivated specifically for its starchy rhizomes.
Example
"The farmers carefully harvested the arrowroot after ten months of growth in the warm, humid climate."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for arrowrootWord Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Arawak word 'aru-aru' (meaning 'meal of meals'), which was altered in English by folk etymology to 'arrowroot' due to the plant's traditional use in drawing toxins from poison-arrow wounds.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Arrowroot. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/arrowroot