hummus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral; common in everyday and food-related contexts.
Quick answer
What does “hummus” mean?
A thick dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thick dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt.
A popular Middle Eastern food item commonly served as an appetizer or snack with pita bread, vegetables, or as part of a mezze platter.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK occasionally uses 'houmous' (/ˈhuːməs/), while US consistently uses 'hummus'. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Both associate it with healthy, vegetarian, or Middle Eastern cuisine. No significant connotative difference.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, given the global popularity of the food.
Grammar
How to Use “hummus” in a Sentence
[verb] + hummus: make, buy, serve, eat, spread, dip[adjective] + hummus: smooth, spicy, store-boughthummus + [prepositional phrase]: with pita, on a cracker, for a partyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hummus” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We can hummus up these crudités for the party.
adjective
British English
- This is a very hummus-flavoured experience.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In marketing or menu descriptions for food products or restaurants.
Academic
Rare; potentially in cultural, nutritional, or anthropological studies discussing food.
Everyday
Very common in contexts of cooking, eating, shopping for food.
Technical
In culinary arts or food science contexts discussing ingredients or preparation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hummus”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hummus”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hummus”
- Misspelling as 'humus' (which is organic soil component).
- Using plural 'hummuses' is non-standard; treat as uncountable (some hummus).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally treated as an uncountable (mass) noun (e.g., 'some hummus', 'a lot of hummus'). You would not typically say 'two hummuses'.
There is no difference in meaning. 'Hummus' is the most common spelling globally and standard in American English. 'Houmous' is an alternative spelling sometimes seen in British English.
Traditional recipes include tahini (sesame seed paste). A version without it exists but is not considered authentic hummus; it might be called a chickpea puree or dip.
Generally, yes. It is a good source of plant-based protein, fibre, and healthy fats from olive oil and tahini, but nutritional value can vary with store-bought brands regarding added salt and oils.
A thick dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt.
Hummus is usually neutral; common in everyday and food-related contexts. in register.
Hummus: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhʊm.ʊs/ or /ˈhʌm.əs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhʊm.əs/ or /ˈhuː.məs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"As common as hummus" (informal, rare).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HUMMUS has HUMM in it – imagine the HUM of a food processor as you make it.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS A CREAMY SPREAD (associated with casual, healthy, shared eating).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary ingredient in traditional hummus?