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Definition of ceviche

ceviche

/səˈviːtʃeɪ/
ce · vi · che
Plural:ceviches
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ceviche Lexical Profile

ceviche Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A South American culinary dish originating in Peru, consisting of raw fish or seafood that is naturally cured by marinating in fresh citrus juice (typically lime or lemon) and flavored with ingredients such as chili peppers, onions, and cilantro.

Example

"We started our dinner with a refreshing scallop and shrimp ceviche served with crispy plantain chips."

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'ceviche' is the standard English spelling, the dish is also frequently spelled 'cebiche' or 'seviche' on menus and in regions of Latin America.

• Rhymes for ceviche

• Nearby Words

cervix
cestrum
cevennes
ceviche
ceyhan
ceyx
chachalaca

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from American Spanish 'ceviche' or 'cebiche', whose exact origins are debated. It may derive from the Quechua word 'siwichi' meaning 'fresh fish', or from Mozarabic 'iskebêch' (a meat dish cooked in vinegar), which traces back to the Arabic 'sikbāj'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ceviche. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 18, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ceviche
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