dolma: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowCulinary, Informal
Quick answer
What does “dolma” mean?
A dish consisting of vegetables (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dish consisting of vegetables (e.g., grape leaves, peppers) stuffed with a seasoned mixture of rice, minced meat, and herbs, then cooked.
Any of various stuffed vegetable dishes found in the cuisines of the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, Balkans, and Caucasus. Can refer to the stuffed vegetable itself or the dish as a whole.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is used in both varieties as a culinary loanword.
Connotations
Associated with Greek, Turkish, Middle Eastern, or Armenian cuisine. In the UK, it may be slightly more familiar due to the popularity of Greek and Turkish restaurants. In the US, it is also well-known in areas with diverse food scenes.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects. Primarily encountered in menus, cooking shows, and food writing.
Grammar
How to Use “dolma” in a Sentence
[Verb] dolma (e.g., eat, make, serve, stuff)dolma [Prepositional Phrase] (e.g., dolma with meat, dolma in tomato sauce)[Adjective] dolma (e.g., vegetarian dolma, cold dolma)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dolma” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb use in British English]
American English
- [No standard verb use in American English]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb use in British English]
American English
- [No standard adverb use in American English]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective use in British English]
American English
- [No standard adjective use in American English]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in the hospitality sector (restaurant menus, catering).
Academic
Rare, except in culinary history, anthropology, or regional studies texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing food, ordering at restaurants, or sharing recipes.
Technical
Used in professional culinary contexts to describe a specific preparation technique.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dolma”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dolma”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dolma”
- Mispronouncing it as /dɒlˈmɑː/ or /ˈdʌlmə/.
- Using it as a countable noun for the individual ingredients ("a dolma rice") instead of for the dish or individual piece ("a dolma" or "some dolma").
- Confusing it with 'dolmades' (the Greek plural term).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In English, 'dolma' is typically treated as a mass noun (like 'food') or a singular for the dish. The plural is often 'dolmas' (anglicised) or the original language's plural (e.g., 'dolmades' from Greek). You can say 'I love dolma' (the dish) or 'I ate three dolmas' (individual pieces).
In Turkish cuisine, 'dolma' means 'stuffed' and typically refers to vegetables like peppers or aubergines being filled. 'Sarma' means 'wrapped' and refers to fillings wrapped in leaves like vine or cabbage. In English usage, this distinction is often blurred, and 'dolma' commonly covers both, especially grape leaf rolls.
No. Dolma can be served hot, warm, or at room temperature. Stuffed vegetables like peppers are often served hot, while vine leaf dolmas are frequently served chilled or at room temperature as part of a mezze platter.
Yes. While many traditional recipes include minced meat (lamb or beef), a very common and popular version is made with a filling of rice, herbs, pine nuts, and spices, making it vegetarian (and often vegan). This is sometimes called 'yalancı dolma' ('false dolma') in Turkish.
A dish consisting of vegetables (e.
Dolma is usually culinary, informal in register.
Dolma: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒlmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdoʊlmə/ or /ˈdɑːlmə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common English idioms with 'dolma']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "DOLLar" and "MArket" – you might buy ingredients for DOLLMAs at a market.
Conceptual Metaphor
[Not widely applicable. The dish itself is a container (vegetable/leaf) metaphorically filled with flavour/complexity.]
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a dolma?