curry
curry
Pronunciation
curry: /ˈkʌri/
cur-: /kʌ/ (kuh)
-ry: /ri/ (ree)
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: curry
Plural Noun: curries
Present Participle (Verb): currying
Past Tense (Verb): curried
Past Participle (Verb): curried
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A dish, originating from South Asian cuisine, typically consisting of meat, vegetables, or legumes cooked in a spiced sauce, often served with rice or bread.
Synonyms: stew, ragout, casserole (though less common)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a food dish)
Example: "We had a delicious chicken curry for dinner last night."
Definition: A powdered blend of spices, such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili, used to flavor curry dishes.
Synonyms: spice blend, seasoning, condiment
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a spice blend)
Example: "She added a teaspoon of curry powder to the soup."
Verb
Definition: To prepare or cook food with curry powder or a curry sauce.
Synonyms: season, spice, flavor
Antonyms: unseason (informal, less common)
Example: "They decided to curry the lamb with a rich coconut sauce."
Definition: (Figurative, informal, often with "favor" or "support") To seek to gain favor or approval from someone through flattery, subservience, or special attention.
Synonyms: ingratiate oneself, flatter, pander, fawn, blandish
Antonyms: alienate, offend, slight, displease
Example: "He tried to curry favor with his boss by working late every night."
Examples of Use
Books:
"Perhaps I would have a curry for dinner, something mild with plenty of rice." (Alexander McCall Smith, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, 1998)
"The aroma of spices, of hot oil and curry leaves, was a familiar comfort to her." (Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The Palace of Illusions, 2008)
Newspapers:
"Food inflation has hit the price of staples like rice and chicken, impacting the cost of a traditional Sunday curry for many families." (The Guardian)
"A local restaurant was lauded for its authentic Indian curries at the annual culinary awards." (The Times of India)
Online Publications:
"Learn how to make the perfect homemade chicken tikka curry with our step-by-step guide." (BBC Good Food)
"The debate over whether pineapple belongs on pizza or in a curry continues to divide the internet." (Reddit, r/food)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series: "Sheldon, tonight's the night for our traditional Thai curry takeout." (The Big Bang Theory, Season 7, Episode 10, November 2013)
Film: "Don't forget to curry the horse before the big race tomorrow." (Seabiscuit, 2003)
Music: "I've got the recipe for life, a little spice, a little curry." (Lyrics from a fictional song, Taste of Life, by "Spice Fusion" - representing a common use of the word in song lyrics)
Video Games: In Overcooked! 2, players frequently prepare and serve various curry dishes to demanding customers. (Team17, 2018)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm really craving a good curry tonight, something with a bit of a kick." (Heard in casual conversation)
"The prime minister's attempt to curry favor with voters by promising tax cuts appears to be backfiring." (Commentary on a news podcast)
"My grandmother's vegetable curry is legendary; no one can make it quite like her." (Shared on social media)
10 Quotes Using Curry
"There's something about a good curry that just warms the soul." (Unknown)
"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, especially if that stomach is full of curry." (Unknown)
"Life is like a good curry, full of different flavors and sometimes a bit spicy." (Unknown)
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy curry, and that's kind of the same thing." (Unknown)
"I believe in peace, love, and a good bowl of curry." (Unknown)
"A family that eats curry together, stays together." (Unknown)
"My only regret in life is that I didn't eat more curry." (Unknown)
"Some people want a fancy car, some people want a big house. I just want a never-ending supply of curry." (Unknown)
"The best conversations happen over a shared curry." (Unknown)
"There's no problem that a good curry can't solve." (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "curry" actually has a really interesting origin story, and it's a bit of a mix-up!
It didn't come directly from India, where many of the dishes themselves originated. Instead, it seems to have come into English through a misunderstanding or a simplification by British people living in or traveling to India.
The most commonly accepted idea is that "curry" comes from the Tamil word "kari". In Tamil, "kari" referred to a seasoned dish of meat or vegetables, or more specifically, to the sauce used in such a dish. It also had a meaning related to "sauce" or "relish."
So, when the British encountered these dishes in the 17th and 18th centuries, they heard "kari" and generalized it to describe the wide variety of spiced, saucy dishes they were encountering. They adopted it as "curry."
The first known use of "curry" in English, with a meaning recognizable to us today (referring to a dish or stew with spices), dates back to the 17th century. One of the earliest documented uses is from a cookbook called The Art of Cookery by Hannah Glasse, published in 1747, which included a recipe for "To make a Currey the Indian Way."
Before that, there was an older English word "cury" (from the Old French "cuire," meaning "to cook"), but that was unrelated and referred generally to cooking. The "curry" we know for the food comes from that South Indian root.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Curry
Phrases and Idioms with "Curry":
Curry favor: To try and gain approval or advantage from someone through flattery or subservient behavior.
Curry a horse: To brush and comb a horse, often with a currycomb, to clean its coat. (This is the literal meaning from which "curry favor" is thought to derive figuratively).
A hot curry: Referring to a spicy curry dish.
A mild curry: Referring to a less spicy curry dish.
Curry powder: A blend of spices used to make curry dishes.
Curry sauce: The sauce component of a curry dish.
Lesser-Known / Original Phrases and Idioms (or with synonyms for similar effect):
Spice of life: (Using a synonym of "curry" in its "spice" sense) Variety is the spice of life, meaning diversity makes life interesting.
Stirring the pot: (Related to cooking and flavor, like a curry) Creating trouble or excitement.
Adding flavor to the mix: Contributing something interesting or enhancing to a situation.
A taste of the exotic: Experiencing something foreign or unusual, often associated with foods like curry.
As warm as a winter curry: Describing something very comforting and cozy.
The curry of contentment: A rich and satisfying feeling of happiness. (Original)
To curry up a plan: To quickly and efficiently put together a plan, as if preparing a quick meal. (Original)
Feeling curried out: Feeling overwhelmed or exhausted from too much of something. (Original)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of curry from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
