chutney: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumMostly informal and culinary; neutral in food contexts.
Quick answer
What does “chutney” mean?
A spicy, chunky condiment made from fruits, vegetables, herbs, sugar and vinegar, originating from Indian cuisine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A spicy, chunky condiment made from fruits, vegetables, herbs, sugar and vinegar, originating from Indian cuisine.
In a broader culinary context, any similar thick, seasoned relish or sauce, not necessarily of Indian origin.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common and integrated into everyday food vocabulary in the UK due to historical ties. In the US, it's a more specialist term associated with Indian or gourmet food.
Connotations
UK: Connotes standard supermarket fare, pub food (e.g., ploughman's lunch). US: Connotes ethnic cuisine, artisanal preserves, or gourmet condiments.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English; medium-to-low frequency in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “chutney” in a Sentence
[verb] + chutney (e.g., prepare, spread, offer)chutney + [verb] (e.g., complements, accompanies, adds)chutney + [preposition] + [noun] (e.g., chutney with cheese, chutney on the side)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chutney” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A chutney-flavoured crisp variety.
- The chutney glaze on the ham was delicious.
American English
- A chutney-glazed salmon fillet.
- The cheese board came with chutney-style accompaniments.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in food import/export, restaurant supply, or gourmet retail contexts.
Academic
Rare outside of culinary history, anthropology of food, or South Asian studies.
Everyday
Common in discussions of food, cooking, meals, and grocery shopping.
Technical
Used in professional culinary and food science contexts regarding preservation, recipes, and flavor pairing.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chutney”
- Pronouncing it as /ˈtʃuːt.ni/ (like 'chew').
- Using it as a countable noun for a single portion (e.g., 'a chutney' is unusual; prefer 'a spoonful/serving of chutney').
- Spelling: 'chutny', 'chutnee'.
- Confusing it with 'chutney' as a slang term for something messed up (very informal, non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While many chutneys have a spicy element from chilies, they can range from very mild and sweet (e.g., mango chutney) to fiercely hot. The defining features are the combination of fruit/vegetables, sugar, vinegar, and spices.
Chutney is typically cooked, chunky, and balances sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Relish is often raw or lightly cooked, can be smoother, and is usually tangy or sour. Pickle involves preserving whole or large pieces of food in brine or vinegar, often for longer periods.
Once opened, store it in the refrigerator. Most commercially prepared chutneys, due to their vinegar and sugar content, will keep for several months refrigerated. Homemade chutney should be consumed within a few weeks.
Absolutely. While often used as a condiment, chutney is excellent in cooking. It can be used as a glaze for meats (e.g., ham, chicken), stirred into stews or curries for depth, mixed into sandwich fillings, or as a base for salad dressings.
A spicy, chunky condiment made from fruits, vegetables, herbs, sugar and vinegar, originating from Indian cuisine.
Chutney is usually mostly informal and culinary; neutral in food contexts. in register.
Chutney: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃʌt.ni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃʌt.ni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As varied as a chutney tray (indicating diverse selection)”
- “To chutney something up (informal, to make more interesting or spicy)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CHUT-NEY rhymes with 'shut knee' – Imagine shutting a jar of spicy chutney with your knee.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHUTNEY IS A MIXTURE/CONGLOMMERATE (e.g., 'The film was a chutney of genres').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely description of a classic chutney?