gazpacho: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Culinary
Quick answer
What does “gazpacho” mean?
A chilled, uncooked Spanish soup made primarily from tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and bread.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chilled, uncooked Spanish soup made primarily from tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and bread.
A broad category of cold soups or liquid dishes, often served in summer; used metaphorically to denote a refreshing or unexpected mixture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. Both varieties treat it as a Spanish loanword. Slight potential for more frequent usage in American English due to broader Tex-Mex/Spanish culinary influence.
Connotations
Conveys associations of Mediterranean cuisine, summer dining, and healthy, fresh ingredients in both varieties.
Frequency
Low to medium frequency in both, found primarily in cooking, travel, and lifestyle contexts. Slightly more common in UK English due to proximity to Spain as a tourist destination.
Grammar
How to Use “gazpacho” in a Sentence
[Subject] serves/makes [Direct Object: gazpacho][Gazpacho] is made from [Ingredients]To have [Direct Object: gazpacho] for lunchVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gazpacho” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The chef decided to gazpacho the vegetables for a modern twist.
- (Note: extremely rare and non-standard)
American English
- (No standard verb usage exists.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial usage exists.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial usage exists.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjectival usage exists.)
American English
- (No standard adjectival usage exists.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in a restaurant's business plan, menu costing, or food industry marketing.
Academic
Appears in culinary history, food studies, or cultural anthropology texts discussing Mediterranean cuisine.
Everyday
Used when discussing food, recipes, travel experiences, or summer meals.
Technical
Used in professional cookery, with specifications for ingredients, preparation methods (e.g., 'emulsified'), and presentation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gazpacho”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈɡæz.pæ.tʃoʊ/ (hard 'g', stress on first syllable).
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'two gazpachos') is unusual; 'two bowls of gazpacho' is preferred.
- Spelling errors: 'gaspacho', 'gazpachio'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the classic tomato-based version is red, there are white gazpachos (ajo blanco) made with almonds and garlic, and green versions using herbs.
In Spain, it is often a starter or a light lunch, especially in summer. It can be a light meal on its own, particularly when served with bread.
Salmorejo is a thicker, creamier cold soup from Córdoba, Spain, made with more bread and typically garnished with hard-boiled egg and jamón serrano, whereas gazpacho is generally thinner and more liquid.
A blender or food processor is essential to achieve the characteristic smooth or slightly textured consistency of the soup.
A chilled, uncooked Spanish soup made primarily from tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and bread.
Gazpacho is usually formal, culinary in register.
Gazpacho: in British English it is pronounced /ɡəˈspætʃ.əʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡəˈspɑː.tʃoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"to be like a gazpacho" (metaphor for something refreshingly cool or a surprising mixture of elements)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "GAZ-ing at a PATCH of tomatoes in the sun before making a cool, refreshing GAZPACHO."
Conceptual Metaphor
REFRESHMENT IS COOL LIQUID (e.g., "Her news was a gazpacho to my worries"). MIXTURE IS A BLENDED SOUP (e.g., "The team is a real gazpacho of nationalities").
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic that defines gazpacho?