Pronunciation guide
How to pronounce turmeric
TUR-mer-ik - three syllables, stress on the 1st; there is an 'r' in the first syllable
US/ˈtɝ.mɚ.ɪk/
tɝmɚɪk
UK/ˈtɜː.mə.ɹɪk/
tɜːməɹɪk
New to IPA symbols? Read the IPA guide.
Common mistake
Often said 'TOO-mer-ik', dropping the first 'r'; it is 'TUR-mer-ik'.
What “turmeric” means
An Indian plant (Curcuma longa), with aromatic rhizomes, part of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae).
The pulverized rhizome of the turmeric plant, used for flavoring and to add a bright yellow color to food.
In a sentence
- Turmeric is the rhizome of Curcuma longa used to flavor and color foods.
- Ground turmeric adds a bright yellow color to curries and mustards.
Definitions and examples are derived from Wiktionary, used under CC BY-SA 4.0, then edited by QuickPronounce. Pronunciation data draws on CMUdict.