marinara: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to informal, common in culinary contexts.
Quick answer
What does “marinara” mean?
A simple Italian sauce made primarily from tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and onions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A simple Italian sauce made primarily from tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and onions.
Any dish served with, or cooked in, marinara sauce (e.g., chicken marinara, pasta marinara).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in the US, often associated with Italian-American cuisine. In the UK, it is understood but may be less frequently ordered or prepared at home.
Connotations
In the US: Italian-American, casual dining, pizza/pasta topping. In the UK: restaurant menu item, less culturally embedded.
Frequency
Significantly higher frequency in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “marinara” in a Sentence
N + marinara (e.g., spaghetti marinara)marinara + N (e.g., marinara sauce)served with marinaraVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marinara” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Rarely, if ever, used as a verb]
American English
- [Rarely, if ever, used as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- We ordered the spaghetti marinara.
- She prefers a simple marinara base for her pizza.
American English
- I'll have the chicken marinara, please.
- He dunked the breadstick into the marinara dip.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in food industry contexts (e.g., 'Our marinara sauce line increased sales').
Academic
Very rare, potentially in cultural or historical studies of food.
Everyday
Common in contexts of cooking, ordering food, or discussing recipes.
Technical
Used in professional culinary settings and cookbooks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marinara”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marinara”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marinara”
- Assuming it contains seafood.
- Using 'marinara' as an adjective for non-sauce items (e.g., 'marinara cheese' is wrong).
- Mispronunciation: /ma.rɪˈna.ra/ with a trilled 'r' is overly Italianized.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in English usage, classic marinara sauce contains no seafood. It is a simple tomato sauce. The name's historical connection to sailors ('mariners') does not imply ingredients.
Marinara is typically a cooked, seasoned tomato sauce with herbs like oregano and basil. Pizza sauce can be raw (crushed tomatoes), cooked, or be a variation of marinara, often thicker and more concentrated.
Yes, commonly. e.g., 'Pass the marinara,' or 'This marinara is delicious.' It is shorthand for 'marinara sauce'.
Yes. It is far more prevalent in American English and Italian-American cuisine. In the UK, it is understood but less culturally dominant; similar sauces might be called 'tomato sauce for pasta' or 'Neapolitan sauce'.
A simple Italian sauce made primarily from tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and onions.
Marinara is usually neutral to informal, common in culinary contexts. in register.
Marinara: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmær.ɪˈnɑː.rə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmer.əˈner.ə/ or /ˌmær.əˈnɑːr.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with 'marinara'; it's primarily a culinary term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MARINE' + 'ARA' — historically, sailors (mariners) used this simple, non-perishable sauce. Now it's for everyone.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARINARA SAUCE IS A FOUNDATION/BASE (for many Italian-American dishes).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary ingredient in a classic marinara sauce?