masala

noun

ma·​sa·​la mä-ˈsä-lä 

-lə,

mə-

: a varying blend of spices used in Indian cooking

Examples of masala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Indian-Nepali menu has typical food items found in most Indian restaurants, including butter chicken, paneer tikka masala, chicken curry and palak paneer. —Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025

Pair breakfast with a proper cup of steaming masala chai or any number of inventive lattes, including a winning salty-sweet toasted peanut version with roasted peanut praline, jaggery, and cold cream. —Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025

Here’s a summary of the menu: Naan bread, sold plain or with butter, garlic or tandoori spice Chicken kebabs Fried rice and noodles Curries, tiki masala and butter masala with choice of chicken, shrimp, lamb or paneer (an Indian cheese). —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2025

Eight-ounce portions of butter chicken, tikka masala and mutter paneer are $6.99, dal is $5.99, sauteed vegetables are $4.99, onion pakora is $4.99 and rice is $3.99. —Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Urdu masālā materials, ingredients, spices

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing masala

• garam masala

Rhymes for masala

• cabala
• corolla
• impala
• kabbalah
• kamala
• koala
• oglala
• allah
• bala
• cala
• cholla
• mala