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Definition of sambal

sambal

/ˈsɑːm.bɑːl/
sam · bal
Plural:sambals
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sambal Lexical Profile

sambal Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A spicy Indonesian and Malaysian relish or paste typically made from crushed or blended chili peppers, often mixed with secondary ingredients such as shrimp paste, garlic, ginger, shallot, scallion, palm sugar, and lime juice.

Example

"She added a generous spoonful of sambal to her noodles for an extra kick of heat."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sambal

• Nearby Words

samar cobra
samara
samara river
sambal
sambar
sambucus
samoa

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Malay and Indonesian 'sambal', which is likely derived from Javanese 'sambel'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sambal. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sambal
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