What does condiment mean?
Word: Condiment
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Condiment means something such as salt, mustard or sauce that is added to food at the table for extra flavour.
How do you spell condiment?
Syllables: con - di - ment
Tricky part: The quiet vowel in the middle is an i, and fast speech blurs it. Condement and condament are the usual slips.
Watch out for: condement, condament
Memory tip: A condiment is often something you dip into, so borrow the i of dip for the middle of the word.
Condiment in a sentence
Example 1: Coconut chutney is the only condiment I want with idlis.
Example 2: The hotel set out a tray of sauces and other condiments on each table.
Example 3: Soy sauce is a popular condiment across much of East Asia.
Fun Fact
The Latin verb behind it, condire, meant to pickle or preserve, so a jar of lime pickle stays close to the word's old sense.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
condimment
a) t
b) n
c) m
d) d
Show answer
c) m. One m is enough here, just as in the ending of payment.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Tamarind chutney is the dontcemin my grandmother sets beside every plate of samosas.
a) condiment
b) sediment
c) ornament
d) compliment
Show answer
a) condiment. Sediment needs an s, compliment a p and an l, and ornament an r and an a.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word condiment as used in the sentence:
Mango pickle is the one condiment Papa refuses to travel without.
a) beverage
b) seasoning
c) dessert
d) utensil
Show answer
b) seasoning. Pickle is eaten in small amounts to add taste, which is what a seasoning does.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word:
1. saffron 2. vinager 3. condiment 4. cardamom
a) the dried seeds of a plant, used as a spice
b) a small sauce or spread served with a meal
c) an orange-yellow spice taken from a flower
d) a sour liquid used to flavour and preserve food
Show answer
d) a sour liquid used to flavour and preserve food. Vinegar has an e after the n, which the misspelt form loses.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The waiter asks if you would like a condiment. What might he bring?
a) a small bowl of mint chutney
b) a plate of hot chapatis
c) a glass of cold water
d) a slice of chocolate cake
Show answer
a) a small bowl of mint chutney
2. Restaurants usually keep condiments ____.
a) where diners can reach them easily
b) behind the counter in the office
c) in the freezer till closing time
d) in a locked kitchen cupboard
Show answer
a) where diners can reach them easily
