Masala

/məˈsɑːlə/
noun

A blend of ground spices used in Indian cooking.

I added some garam masala to the curry to make it more flavorful.
Visual representation of "masala" - A blend of ground spices used in Indian cooking.

Often appears as...

  • garam masala
  • chicken masala
adjective

Spiced or flavored with masala.

He ordered a masala chai from the café.
Visual representation of "masala" - Spiced or flavored with masala.

Often appears as...

  • masala chai
  • masala fries
noun

A film genre in Indian cinema, mixing action, comedy, and romance.

Sholay is a classic example of a masala movie.
Visual representation of "masala" - A film genre in Indian cinema, mixing action, comedy, and romance.

Often appears as...

  • masala movie
  • masala film

Usage tips

Colloquial

noun

A blend of ground spices used in Indian cooking.

I added some garam masala to the curry to make it more flavorful.
Visual representation of "masala" - A blend of ground spices used in Indian cooking.

Often appears as...

  • garam masala
  • chicken masala
adjective

Spiced or flavored with masala.

He ordered a masala chai from the café.
Visual representation of "masala" - Spiced or flavored with masala.

Often appears as...

  • masala chai
  • masala fries
noun

A film genre in Indian cinema, mixing action, comedy, and romance.

Sholay is a classic example of a masala movie.
Visual representation of "masala" - A film genre in Indian cinema, mixing action, comedy, and romance.

Often appears as...

  • masala movie
  • masala film

Usage tips

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "masala"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Culinary Essential

Masala is central to South Asian cuisine and often imparts the dish's primary flavor.

Illustration for Culinary Essential
She learned to make her own masala for authentic homemade dishes.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Variety of Blends

There are many types of masala, each with a different combination of spices, like tikka masala or chai masala.

Illustration for Variety of Blends
For this recipe, you'll need chaat masala, not garam masala.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Just Curry

While common in curries, masala is also used in other dishes like soups, marinades, and snacks.

Illustration for Not Just Curry
Try sprinkling some masala on popcorn for a spiced twist.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Culinary Essential

Masala is central to South Asian cuisine and often imparts the dish's primary flavor.

Illustration for Culinary Essential
She learned to make her own masala for authentic homemade dishes.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Variety of Blends

There are many types of masala, each with a different combination of spices, like tikka masala or chai masala.

Illustration for Variety of Blends
For this recipe, you'll need chaat masala, not garam masala.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Just Curry

While common in curries, masala is also used in other dishes like soups, marinades, and snacks.

Illustration for Not Just Curry
Try sprinkling some masala on popcorn for a spiced twist.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Culinary Essential

Masala is central to South Asian cuisine and often imparts the dish's primary flavor.

Illustration for Culinary Essential
She learned to make her own masala for authentic homemade dishes.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Variety of Blends

There are many types of masala, each with a different combination of spices, like tikka masala or chai masala.

Illustration for Variety of Blends
For this recipe, you'll need chaat masala, not garam masala.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Just Curry

While common in curries, masala is also used in other dishes like soups, marinades, and snacks.

Illustration for Not Just Curry
Try sprinkling some masala on popcorn for a spiced twist.
Visual representation of the word "Masala"

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Video examples

Safari Live - Day 214 PIPE...

and then afraid I think getting Garner's wylie enough not drop too much masala is looking on in depression he's lying not

Video examples

Safari Live - Day 214 PIPE...

and then afraid I think getting Garner's wylie enough not drop too much masala is looking on in depression he's lying not

Example 1 of 1

Quote examples

Sonakshi Sinha

Indian Actress

The audience for 'Lootera' is far less than for my other kind of films. Just because I pulled it off doesn't mean I will change my tastes. I love to watch masala films, and I love to sing, dance and say those larger-than-life dialogues. But whenever I get a chance, and I really feel the connect, I will do a performance-oriented film.
Portrait of Sonakshi Sinha

Quote examples

Karan Patel

Indian Actor

People will bring up all kinds of masala, but all that matters to me are my fans. They are my strength. I am overwhelmed by their support and love. It just pays off for all the hard work you put in.
Portrait of Karan Patel

Quote examples

Sayani Gupta

Indian Actress

I'm dying to do a masala Bollywood film with typical song and dance. But having said that, my character in the film should have her own point of view. I won't play a role who has no brains.
Portrait of Sayani Gupta

Quote examples

Mukesh Tiwari

Indian Actor

The story of 'Lalpan Bibi' impressed me and my character also. It has all the ingredients of a great commercial masala movie.
Portrait of Mukesh Tiwari

Quote examples

Shweta Tripathi

Indian Actress

There's nothing wrong in doing a mindless masala; it's just something I don't see myself doing.
Portrait of Shweta Tripathi

Quote examples

Tabu

Indian Actress

I grew up in the seventies, and films for us were larger-than-life, masala entertainers.
Portrait of Tabu

Quote examples

Priyamani

Indian Actress

Somewhere down the line, I want to do masala films too.
Portrait of Priyamani

Quote examples

Konkona Sen Sharma

Indian Actress

It seems quite unlikely that I'll make a masala film.
Portrait of Konkona Sen Sharma

Quote examples

Kiran Rao

Indian Producer

I watch certain kinds of masala films.
Portrait of Kiran Rao

Quote examples

Karan Soni

I love masala movies.
Portrait of Karan Soni

Quote examples

Sonakshi Sinha

Indian Actress

The audience for 'Lootera' is far less than for my other kind of films. Just because I pulled it off doesn't mean I will change my tastes. I love to watch masala films, and I love to sing, dance and say those larger-than-life dialogues. But whenever I get a chance, and I really feel the connect, I will do a performance-oriented film.
Portrait of Sonakshi Sinha

Quote examples

Karan Patel

Indian Actor

People will bring up all kinds of masala, but all that matters to me are my fans. They are my strength. I am overwhelmed by their support and love. It just pays off for all the hard work you put in.
Portrait of Karan Patel

Quote examples

Sayani Gupta

Indian Actress

I'm dying to do a masala Bollywood film with typical song and dance. But having said that, my character in the film should have her own point of view. I won't play a role who has no brains.
Portrait of Sayani Gupta

Quote examples

Mukesh Tiwari

Indian Actor

The story of 'Lalpan Bibi' impressed me and my character also. It has all the ingredients of a great commercial masala movie.
Portrait of Mukesh Tiwari

Quote examples

Shweta Tripathi

Indian Actress

There's nothing wrong in doing a mindless masala; it's just something I don't see myself doing.
Portrait of Shweta Tripathi

Quote examples

Tabu

Indian Actress

I grew up in the seventies, and films for us were larger-than-life, masala entertainers.
Portrait of Tabu

Quote examples

Priyamani

Indian Actress

Somewhere down the line, I want to do masala films too.
Portrait of Priyamani

Quote examples

Konkona Sen Sharma

Indian Actress

It seems quite unlikely that I'll make a masala film.
Portrait of Konkona Sen Sharma

Quote examples

Kiran Rao

Indian Producer

I watch certain kinds of masala films.
Portrait of Kiran Rao

Quote examples

Karan Soni

I love masala movies.
Portrait of Karan Soni
Example 1 of 10
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