Meaning & use
California roll
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
a sushi roll made with rice on the outside, containing crab, avocado, and cucumber
Grammar: Countable; use 'a California roll' for one, 'California rolls' for more than one.
Patterns
- a California roll
- order a California roll
- California rolls with soy sauce
She ordered a California roll and a cup of green tea.
California rolls often come with pickled ginger and wasabi on the side.
The restaurant is known for its fresh California rolls.
Word forms
| plural | California rolls |
|---|
Common combinations
- order a California roll
- We sat down and ordered a California roll to share.
- a California roll with avocado
- I like a California roll with extra avocado.
- fresh California rolls
- The deli sells fresh California rolls at lunchtime.
Synonyms and how they differ
- inside-out roll
- A general term for any sushi roll with rice on the outside; a California roll is one specific kind.
Commonly confused: California roll or sushi roll?
California roll vs sushi roll
Sushi roll is the broad category; a California roll is a particular type with crab, avocado, and cucumber.
Practice
What is a California roll typically made with?
Choose one answer.
The classic California roll contains crab (often imitation crab), avocado, and cucumber. The other combinations are other kinds of rolls or sandwiches, not the standard California roll.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “California roll”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.