condiment
KON-dih-munt
/ˈkɒn.dɪ.mənt/
A substance such as a relish, sauce, or spice added to food to impart a particular flavor or enhance taste.
Refers to added flavorings like ketchup, mustard, or relish served separately from the primary cooked dish.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'condimentum', from the verb 'condire' (to season or preserve). Ancient Romans used the word for fermented garum fish sauce and spiced vinegars long before it came to describe single-serve ketchup packets.
Word relationships
- sauce: 'Sauce' is a liquid or semi-liquid coating, whereas 'condiment' includes dry spices, pickles, and relishes as well.
- seasoning: 'Seasoning' usually refers to herbs and spices added during cooking, while 'condiments' are added at the table.
- stale dish: Not a direct antonym, but unseasoned plain food lacks the flavor enhancements provided by condiments.
Commonly confused with
- garnish: A garnish is primarily a decorative item placed on food (like parsley), while a condiment is added specifically for taste.
Collocations
- condiment bar
- condiment tray
- condiment packet
- extra condiments
Example sentences
- "He grabbed several packets of mustard from the condiment bar before sitting down." Reaching for sauces at a fast-food counter.
- "The restaurant replaced single-use plastic condiment packets with pump dispensers to reduce waste." Describing condiment packaging.
Memory hook
CONDiments add CONsistent flavor to your meal. Ketchup, mustard, and relish on the side.
When not to use
Do not use for main ingredients cooked directly into a meal, such as meat, rice, or vegetables.
Fun facts
- Ketchup was originally a fermented fish sauce from Southeast Asia before tomatoes were ever added.
- The average fast-food franchisee spends thousands of dollars annually on unconsumed condiment packets.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.