chutney

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   A thick, spicy or sweet sauce made from cooked fruit or vegetables with sugar, vinegar and spices, served with meals.

   Grammar: Uncountable for the food in general (some chutney) and countable for kinds (two chutneys).

   Patterns

   • chutney with something
   • a jar of chutney

   She served cheese with a spoonful of apple chutney.

   The curry came with mango chutney on the side.

   We made a big jar of tomato chutney from the garden.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountable

   A fresh, uncooked sauce or paste made from herbs, coconut or chili, eaten with South Asian dishes.

   Grammar: Used especially for fresh chutneys served with snacks.

   Patterns

   • chutney with something

   The samosas were served with mint chutney.

   He dipped the dosa into coconut chutney.

   A spicy chutney made of coriander livened up the plate.

Word forms

Common combinations

mango chutney

Mango chutney is a classic partner for curry.

tomato chutney

The sandwich was spread with tomato chutney.

mint chutney

Mint chutney gave the snacks a fresh taste.

a jar of chutney

She gave us a jar of chutney as a gift.

homemade chutney

Homemade chutney keeps for months in a cool pantry.

spicy chutney

The spicy chutney made his eyes water.

Synonyms and how they differ

relish

Relish is a chopped, usually pickled mixture that tends to be more sharp and vinegary than chutney.

pickle

Pickle, in British use, can mean a spicy preserved mix, but it usually keeps pieces firmer and sourer than chutney.

sauce

Sauce is a general word for a liquid that goes with food, while chutney is thick and has a specific origin.

preserve

A preserve is a sweet fruit spread, such as jam, whereas chutney is savory and spiced.

Commonly confused: chutney or chutzpah?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “chutney”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words