chipotle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal to Neutral. Common in culinary, foodie, and everyday contexts, especially in North America.
Quick answer
What does “chipotle” mean?
A smoked and dried jalapeño chili pepper, used especially in Mexican cuisine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A smoked and dried jalapeño chili pepper, used especially in Mexican cuisine.
Refers to the distinctive smoky, spicy flavor imparted by the chipotle pepper, and by extension, dishes or sauces featuring it (e.g., chipotle mayo, chipotle chicken). Also used as a brand name for a fast-casual restaurant chain (Chipotle Mexican Grill).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally understood in both varieties due to globalized cuisine, but it is more frequently encountered in American English owing to geographical proximity to Mexico and the popularity of the restaurant chain.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes Mexican/Southwestern cuisine, smokiness, and medium heat. In the US, it may immediately evoke the restaurant brand.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “chipotle” in a Sentence
[verb] + chipotle: add chipotle, use chipotle, season with chipotle[adjective] + chipotle: smoked chipotle, spicy chipotleVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chipotle” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The chipotle marinade gave the halloumi a wonderful depth.
- I'm not a fan of overly chipotle flavours; I prefer something milder.
American English
- The chipotle ranch dressing is what makes this salad special.
- He ordered the chipotle bowl with extra guacamole.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the context of the restaurant industry or food branding (e.g., 'Chipotle's stock price rose').
Academic
Rare; might appear in anthropological, cultural, or culinary studies focusing on foodways.
Everyday
Common in discussions about cooking, eating out, or food preferences (e.g., 'I'll have the burrito with chipotle sauce').
Technical
In professional culinary contexts, specifying types of chilies and preparation methods.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chipotle”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chipotle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chipotle”
- Misspelling: 'chipolte', 'chipolata'.
- Mispronunciation: /ˈtʃɪp.əl/ or /tʃɪˈpɒt.əl/ (dropping the final /eɪ/ sound).
- Using as a general term for any spicy sauce.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is moderately spicy, similar to a jalapeño, but the smoking process adds a deeper, smokier flavor rather than increasing the heat significantly.
In context, yes (e.g., 'Let's go to Chipotle'), but the primary meaning remains the chili pepper. It's important to distinguish based on context.
Chipotle is the smoked dried chili. 'Chipotle in adobo' refers to these chilies canned or stored in a tangy, spicy tomato-based sauce called adobo.
The standard pronunciation is chi-POHT-lay. The most common mistake is dropping the final '-lay' sound (saying 'chi-POT-el').
A smoked and dried jalapeño chili pepper, used especially in Mexican cuisine.
Chipotle is usually informal to neutral. common in culinary, foodie, and everyday contexts, especially in north america. in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHIlli + POT + smoky fLAvour' = CHIPOTLE. Imagine a small pot (pot) full of smoky chili (chi).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE INGREDIENT STANDS FOR THE FLAVOR/CUISINE (e.g., 'This dish has a lot of chipotle' meaning it has the characteristic smoky flavor).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a chipotle pepper?