Curry

Definition

Curry refers to a dish of meat, vegetables, or seafood cooked in a spiced sauce typical of South Asian cuisine; as a verb, curry means to groom a horse with a currycomb or, in the phrase “curry favor,” to ingratiate oneself with someone. Its plural form as a noun is curries.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (transitive)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /ˈkʌri/
• Respelling: KUR-ee

British English

• IPA: /ˈkʌri/
• Respelling: KUR-ee

Etymology

Mid 17th century (dish): from Tamil kari “sauce,” via Portuguese caril; verb senses “groom with a currycomb” date from the late 15th century, from Old French correier “prepare leather,” via the tool name currycomb.

Derivatives

• curried (verb past)
• currying (verb gerund)
• currycomb (noun)
• curry favor (verb phrase)

Synonyms

• As a noun: stew, ragout, masala
• As a verb: groom, brush, ingratiate

Antonyms

• As a verb: repel, alienate

Usage

"We ordered lamb curry with rice for dinner."

"He curries favor with his supervisor by volunteering for extra shifts."

"Every morning she curries her horse before riding out."

Related Terms

• Masala: A blend of spices used in South Asian cooking.
• Spice: A flavoring substance derived from seeds, fruits, roots, or bark.
• Stew: A dish of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid.
• Currycomb: A comb used to groom horses.
• Ingratiate: To gain favor by deliberate effort.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A dish of meat, vegetables, or seafood cooked in a spiced sauce – a preparation flavored with curry powder, paste, or whole spices.
  • Example: "The restaurant’s chicken curry was fragrant and spicy."
• A variety of spiced sauces or preparations in South Asian cuisine – sauces of various spice blends served over rice or with bread.
  • Example: "Thai green curry is lighter and aromatic."

Verb

• To groom a horse with a currycomb – to brush or scrape a horse’s coat to remove dirt and loose hair.
  • Example: "He curries his horse every morning before the ride."
• (In curry favor) To ingratiate oneself with someone – to seek to gain favor or goodwill through flattery or attention.
  • Example: "She curried favor with the committee by arriving early."