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Definition of nigella
nigella
/naɪˈdʒɛl.ə/
ni · gel · la
Plural:nigellas
nigella Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
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Wordle Guess
• noun
1
The small, black, angular, and aromatic seeds of the plant Nigella sativa, widely used as a spice in Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisines.
Example
"She sprinkled a pinch of toasted nigella seeds over the warm naan to enhance its flavor and aroma."
2
Any of various Eurasian annual plants of the genus Nigella in the buttercup family, typically characterized by finely divided leaves and delicate, pale blue or white flowers (such as love-in-a-mist).
Example
"The gardener planted a border of nigella to add feathery foliage and distinctive blue blooms to the landscape."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for nigella• Rhymes for nigella
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Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'nigella', the feminine form of 'nigellus', a diminutive of 'niger' meaning 'black'. The name refers to the distinctive black color of the plant's seeds.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nigella. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nigella