bulgur: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical, Culinary
Quick answer
What does “bulgur” mean?
A food made from parboiled, dried, and cracked wheat, used especially in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A food made from parboiled, dried, and cracked wheat, used especially in Middle Eastern cuisine.
A whole grain product derived from wheat, commonly used as a base for pilafs, salads, and stuffings. It is known for its nutty flavor and quick cooking time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is used identically in both varieties. Spelling and meaning are the same.
Connotations
Associated with health foods, vegetarian/vegan diets, and international (particularly Middle Eastern or Mediterranean) cuisine in both cultures.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general discourse but common in specific culinary, health food, or international food contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “bulgur” in a Sentence
[verb] bulgur: cook, prepare, soak, rinse, drainbulgur [verb]: bulgur cooks, bulgur softens, bulgur absorbsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bulgur” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The bulgur salad was a hit at the barbecue.
American English
- She made a delicious bulgur pilaf for dinner.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the context of food import/export, agriculture, or retail of specialty foods.
Academic
Used in nutritional science, agricultural studies, or cultural anthropology papers discussing food staples.
Everyday
Used in cooking instructions, recipe discussions, or when talking about dietary choices.
Technical
Used in culinary arts, food science, and nutritional labelling to specify a type of processed wheat product.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bulgur”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bulgur”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bulgur”
- Misspelling as 'bulgar' (confusing with the people/region).
- Mispronouncing the final 'r' in British English (it is often silent).
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'two bulgurs' is incorrect; use 'two types of bulgur' or 'two cups of bulgur').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, bulgur is made from wheat and contains gluten.
Bulgur is parboiled, dried, and cracked whole wheat. Couscous is tiny pellets of semolina (wheat flour) dough, usually steamed.
Fine bulgur can often be soaked in hot water. Coarser bulgur usually requires simmering, similar to rice.
Yes, in many dishes like pilafs or salads, though cooking times and liquid absorption differ.
A food made from parboiled, dried, and cracked wheat, used especially in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Bulgur is usually formal, technical, culinary in register.
Bulgur: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʌlɡə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʊlɡər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
BULGUR is like BULKier wheat GRAins that have been cracked.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS FUEL (e.g., 'Bulgur provides lasting energy').
Practice
Quiz
What is bulgur primarily made from?