marsala: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Culinary
Quick answer
What does “marsala” mean?
A fortified wine from Sicily, Italy, with a distinctive caramel flavour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fortified wine from Sicily, Italy, with a distinctive caramel flavour.
A colour reminiscent of the wine, often a warm, earthy red-brown or amber; a sauce or dish flavoured with this wine.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotations are strongly tied to cooking (sauces, desserts) and, secondarily, to fashion/design for the colour.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to greater historical culinary influence from Italy, but the term is well-established in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “marsala” in a Sentence
[V] + with + marsala (e.g., deglaze with marsala)[N] + of + marsala (e.g., a bottle of marsala)[Adj] + marsala (e.g., dry marsala)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marsala” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The chef will marsala the pan to make the sauce.
adjective
British English
- The walls were painted a rich marsala shade.
American English
- She preferred the marsala-colored leather for the sofa.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in the wine and spirits trade or hospitality sector.
Academic
Rare. Could appear in historical, geographical, or culinary studies.
Everyday
Common in cooking contexts, recipe discussions, and interior design/fashion describing colour.
Technical
Standard in oenology (wine science) and professional cooking.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marsala”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marsala”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marsala”
- Misspelling: 'marsalla', 'massala' (confusion with 'masala').
- Mispronunciation: putting stress on the first syllable.
- Using as a countable noun incorrectly: 'two marsalas' (better: 'two types/bottles of marsala').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Marsala comes in dry (secco), semi-sweet (semisecco), and sweet (dolce) varieties.
Yes, especially the finer aged versions (Vergine, Riserva) which are considered vini da meditazione (contemplative wines). The younger, cheaper versions are typically used for cooking.
Both are fortified wines, but sherry is from Jerez, Spain, and its production method (biological ageing under flor) differs from Marsala's which often uses cooked grape must and ageing in oak.
Like other fortified wines, it is more resilient than table wine. Recork it and store in a cool, dark place. It will keep for several weeks to a few months, though its quality will gradually decline.
A fortified wine from Sicily, Italy, with a distinctive caramel flavour.
Marsala is usually formal/culinary in register.
Marsala: in British English it is pronounced /mɑːˈsɑːlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɑrˈsɑlə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "MaRSALA" is a wine you might drink on "Mars" if it were "SALA" (hall in Italian) coloured.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOURCE/PRODUCT FOR THE PRODUCT ITSELF (e.g., 'We need Marsala for the sauce.'); SOURCE FOR ATTRIBUTE (e.g., 'She wore a marsala dress.').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of Marsala wine?