condiment
/ˈkɒn.dɪ.mənt/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A condiment is a sauce, spice, or seasoning added to food to improve its taste. It is usually served in a small amount with a meal.
- Please pass the condiment.
- Ketchup is a common condiment.
- We keep several condiments on the table.
Adinary Nuance
A condiment is more specific than a seasoning. It is usually a sauce or topping you add after cooking, like ketchup or mustard. A seasoning can be any ingredient used to flavour food, including salt, pepper, or herbs while cooking.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- gia vị
- Spanish
- condimento
- Chinese
- 调味品
- Japanese
- 調味料
- Korean
- 조미료
Etymology
Condiment comes from Latin condimentum, meaning 'seasoning' or 'spice'. It entered English in the 15th century.
Common phrases
table condimentsa bottle of condimentcondiment traycondiment shelf
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is condiment the same as seasoning?
- Not exactly. A condiment is usually added at the table, while seasoning is often added during cooking.
- What are common condiments?
- Common condiments include ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, soy sauce, and chutney.
- Is condiment a formal word?
- It is neutral and common in food writing, menus, and everyday speech.
- Can I use condiment for salt or pepper?
- Usually no. Salt and pepper are seasonings, not condiments.