nigella

noun

ni·​gel·​la nī-ˈje-lə How to pronounce nigella (audio)
: any of a genus (Nigella) of erect annual herbs of the buttercup family having dissected threadlike leaves and usually blue or white flowers
especially : love-in-a-mist

Examples of nigella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to the Connecticut Public, Cohen’s recipe includes honey, sesame, fennel, poppy, nigella, and/ or cumin and sea salt to garnish. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 2 May 2025 Also, garnish the dip with black sesame seeds or nigella seeds and perhaps some parsley. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025 Mix flour, salt, chili flakes and nigella seeds in a mixing bowl with yogurt and mix well. Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 12 Mar. 2025 There are several ways to consume nigella seeds for their health benefits.1 There are many ways to incorporate nigella seeds into your daily diet. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 2 Mar. 2025 Like calendula, nigella is a half-hardy annual that shrugs off chilly springs. Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025 Each challah braid was sprinkled with different seeds and herbs: sunflower seeds, sesame, oregano, pine nuts, nigella (black caraway seeds) and cumin. Ethel G. Hofman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2023 Chinese lanterns, fall leaves, nigella pods, and ginkgo leaves make special additions; attach using fine wire. Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2022 Instead of the traditional garlic, onion, poppy and sesame seeds, the blend includes sumac, turmeric, maras chile flakes, blue cornflower, sea salt, and sesame, fennel, and black nigella seeds. Ann Trieger Kurland, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Late Latin, a black-seeded plant, from feminine of Latin nigellus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nigella was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nigella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nigella. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

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