curry
curry Lexical Profile
curry Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A heavily spiced dish consisting of meat, vegetables, or legumes cooked in a sauce, originating from the Indian subcontinent and typically served with rice or flatbread.
"We ordered chicken tikka masala and a vegetable curry from the local restaurant."
A powder or blend of finely ground spices, typically including turmeric, cumin, and coriander, used to flavor food.
"She added a generous spoonful of yellow curry to the soup base to give it an aromatic depth."
• verb
To seek to gain favor or ingratiate oneself through flattery or excessive attentiveness.
"The ambitious employee frequently brought expensive coffee to the office in an attempt to curry favor with the manager."
To flavor (food) with a sauce or powder made of a complex blend of Indian-style spices.
"He curried the leftover chicken and served it over basmati rice."
To groom or clean the coat of a horse using a specialized rubber or metal comb.
"The stable hand curried the horses every morning before saddling them for the ride."
Word Nuance & Usage
The noun (food) and the verb (to groom or curry favor) are etymologically distinct homonyms. The phrase 'curry favor' relates to the grooming verb, not the culinary dish.
• Rhymes for curry
Word Origin & Etymology
The culinary noun originates from the Tamil word 'kari', meaning 'sauce' or 'relish'. The verb 'to curry' (to groom a horse) comes from Old French 'correier', meaning 'to put in order' or 'prepare'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.