Etymology Map
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Masala

3 stages from Arabic to English.

Today it means a mixture of ground spices used in Indian cooking

Where does the word "masala" come from? It comes from Arabic maṣāliḥ, passing through Urdu before entering English (1780s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
maṣāliḥ
Arabic · medieval
"necessities"
things needed, ingredients
2
Stage 2 of 3
masāla
Urdu · medieval
"spices"
spices, ingredients; 'masala' films mix every genre
3
Stage 3 of 3
masala
English · 1780s
"spice mix"
'chicken tikka masala' became a British favourite in the late 1900s
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Read the full story

Masala’s story begins in Arabic: maṣāliḥ meant “necessities.” Things needed, ingredients. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Urdu as masāla. Spices, ingredients; 'masala' films mix every genre. It reached English by 1780s as masala. 'chicken tikka masala' became a British favourite in the late 1900s. Today, masala means a mixture of ground spices used in Indian cooking.