falafel

noun

fa·​la·​fel fə-ˈlä-fəl 

variants or less commonly felafel

plural falafel also felafel

: a spicy mixture of ground vegetables (such as chickpeas or fava beans) formed into balls or patties and then fried

Examples of falafel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The array of eats ranges from grab-and-go items for the ravenous after-school crowd, to couscous salad, beef wraps and falafel for lunchtime visitors, or Swedish or Turkish-style coffee and fresh-baked baklava for those seeking an afternoon pick-me-up. —Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025

The most popular menu items here include the chicken shawarma sandwich, hummus, falafel, basmati rice, lamb kebab platter, garlic labneh and spicy potato dishes. —Alexandra Maloney, Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2025

Find ingredients and staple foods at its small halal market, bakery, and deli, serving fresh pita, falafel, and shawarma. —AFAR Media, 11 Mar. 2025

The vegan wrap combines smashed falafel, hummus, roasted red peppers, pickled onions and a spicy herb sauce inside a lavash flatbread which fans might recognize from the Spinach, Feta and Egg White Wrap. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Arabic falāfil

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for falafel

• unlawful
• awful
• lawful
• offal
• waffle