gumbo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, culinary, regional (Southern US), cultural.
Quick answer
What does “gumbo” mean?
A thick soup or stew, a signature dish of Louisiana, made with a strongly flavored stock, meat or shellfish, a thickener (typically okra, filé powder, or roux), and the 'holy trinity' of vegetables (celery, bell peppers, and onions).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thick soup or stew, a signature dish of Louisiana, made with a strongly flavored stock, meat or shellfish, a thickener (typically okra, filé powder, or roux), and the 'holy trinity' of vegetables (celery, bell peppers, and onions).
1) Okra, the plant or its edible pods, particularly used as a thickener in cooking. 2) A fine, silty soil that becomes sticky and impervious when wet. 3) (By extension) A mixture or situation perceived as a complex, thick, or confusing blend. 4) A style of music blending Cajun, zydeco, blues, and other influences.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'gumbo' is understood almost exclusively as the Louisiana dish, a foreign culinary term. In the US, it is a familiar regional dish with strong cultural associations, particularly in the South. The other meanings (soil, okra, music) are almost exclusively American.
Connotations
UK: Exotic, foreign food. US (General): Southern, Cajun/Creole, hearty, flavorful. US (Southern): Cultural heritage, comfort food, community.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general UK English. Moderately frequent in general US English, but highly frequent in the regional context of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.
Grammar
How to Use “gumbo” in a Sentence
[Verb] + gumbo: cook/make/serve/eat gumbo[Adjective] + gumbo: spicy/authentic/Cajun gumbogumbo + [Preposition] + [Noun]: gumbo with shrimp, gumbo from LouisianaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gumbo” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- (Extremely rare, slang) To create a complex mixture. e.g., 'The DJ gumboed together funk, jazz, and hip-hop beats.'
adjective
American English
- Referring to the soil type. e.g., 'After the rain, the road was impassable due to gumbo mud.'
- Referring to the musical style. e.g., 'They have a great gumbo band playing at the festival.'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in tourism or culinary business contexts (e.g., 'Our restaurant's gumbo is a top seller.').
Academic
Rare. Possibly in cultural studies, food history, or soil science (for the soil meaning).
Everyday
Common in the Southern US. Elsewhere, used when discussing food, travel, or culture.
Technical
In soil science/geology: 'gumbo soil'. In musicology: 'gumbo music' as a descriptive category.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gumbo”
- Using it as a countable noun for individual ingredients ('a gumbo' meaning a piece of okra is incorrect). Confusing it with jambalaya (which is a rice dish). Mispronouncing it as /ˈɡuːm.boʊ/ (it is /ˈɡʌm.boʊ/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Gumbo is a soup or stew served over rice, while jambalaya is a rice dish where the rice is cooked in the seasoned broth with meat and vegetables, similar to paella.
In some regional American dialects, 'gumbo' can refer to the okra plant itself, especially in the Southern US. However, globally and in most culinary contexts, 'gumbo' refers to the stew, and 'okra' or 'ladies' fingers' is used for the vegetable.
It is pronounced /ˈɡʌm.boʊ/ (GUM-boh). The first syllable rhymes with 'drum', not 'room'.
Yes, absolutely. Traditional gumbo is often made with meat or shellfish, but vegetarian and vegan gumbos are common, using a rich vegetable stock and ingredients like mushrooms, tomatoes, and various beans as the main components.
A thick soup or stew, a signature dish of Louisiana, made with a strongly flavored stock, meat or shellfish, a thickener (typically okra, filé powder, or roux), and the 'holy trinity' of vegetables (celery, bell peppers, and onions).
Gumbo is usually informal, culinary, regional (southern us), cultural. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Everything is] thicker than gumbo: Used to describe a very confusing or complex situation.”
- “Gumbo of [X]: A metaphor for a dense mixture or blend of various elements (e.g., 'a gumbo of musical styles').”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GUMmy BOwl of stew where the okra makes it so thick your spoon stands up (like gum). GUM + BOwl = GUMBO.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLEXITY/ MIXTURE IS THICKNESS (e.g., 'a gumbo of regulations', 'the plot was gumbo-thick').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'gumbo' NOT typically used?