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Pho, which first appeared in print in English in 1935, was borrowed from a Vietnamese word which was spelled phở. English speakers replaced the vowel with "o" but preserved the pronunciation as "fuh," rather than "foh." Another Vietnamese food word that was borrowed into English is nuoc mam, which refers to a type of fish sauce that is fermented in brine. In that case as well, the original Vietnamese word had accent marks that were lost on the journey into English. Nuoc mam was recorded in English just a few years before pho arrived.
Examples of pho in a Sentence
Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024
This Westminster restaurant also has a standout list of pho (more than a dozen), vermicelli noodles, rice dishes and beverages ranging from iced Vietnamese coffee and Thai tea to fresh lemon soda and soft drinks.
—Brock Keeling, Orange County Register, 1 Oct. 2024
Walking through the market, your food options include raw oysters, pho, chicken shawarma, sushi, sandwiches, tacos, charcuterie boards and Cuban and Burmese delicacies.
—Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
Elizabeth Street Cafe This vibrant, bright cafe, located on the grounds of the chic Hotel Saint Vincent, offers a unique fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisine, ranging from steaming bowls of pho to bánh mì sandwiches, as well as fresh pastries and a standout coffee program.
—Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pho 
Dictionary Entries Near pho
Cite this Entry
“Pho.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pho. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
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