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Definition of tamarind
tamarind
/ˈtæm.ə.rɪnd/
tam · a · rind
Plural:tamarinds
tamarind Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
tamarind Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
The sticky, tart, brown pulp found within the pod-like fruit of the tamarind tree, widely used as a sweet and sour flavoring in Asian, African, and Latin American cuisines.
Example
"The chef added a spoonful of tamarind to the simmering curry to give it a distinctive tangy flavor."
2
A large, long-lived leguminous tree of the pea family native to tropical Africa, widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its shade and edible fruit pods.
Example
"We sat under the sprawling branches of an ancient tamarind to escape the intense midday heat."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Arabic phrase 'tamr hindī', meaning 'Indian date'. It entered Middle English via the Medieval Latin 'tamarindus'.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tamarind. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tamarind