matzah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Religious / Cultural
Quick answer
What does “matzah” mean?
A thin, crisp, unleavened bread, traditionally eaten during the Jewish festival of Passover.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thin, crisp, unleavened bread, traditionally eaten during the Jewish festival of Passover.
Any cracker-like unleavened bread; sometimes used metaphorically to signify something simple, basic, or unadorned, often in religious or cultural contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling variations: 'matzah' is common in both, but 'matzo' is a frequent American English variant. 'Matzoh' is another less common spelling, also seen in American English.
Connotations
Identical; the word refers specifically to the same religious/cultural item in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, appearing almost exclusively in Jewish or interfaith contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “matzah” in a Sentence
[verb] matzah (e.g., eat, break, bake)matzah [noun] (e.g., matzah ball, matzah meal)[adjective] matzah (e.g., unleavened, kosher)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “matzah” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The matzah meal was used to thicken the soup.
- They followed a strict matzah-only diet for the week.
American English
- She made a matzah ball soup from her grandmother's recipe.
- The matzah bakery operates only before Passover.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in the context of food import/export or specialty grocery retail.
Academic
Found in religious studies, anthropology, or historical texts discussing Jewish traditions.
Everyday
Used within Jewish communities, especially around Passover, or in general discussions of religious holidays.
Technical
Used in rabbinic literature and Jewish law (Halakha) regarding the requirements for Passover observance.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “matzah”
- Misspelling as 'matza', 'matzza', or 'matzha'.
- Pronouncing the 'tz' as /z/ instead of /ts/.
- Using it as a countable noun without a plural marker (e.g., 'two matzah' instead of 'two pieces of matzah' or 'two matzot').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While similar in texture, matzah is defined by its religious significance and specific preparation for Passover. Not all crackers are unleavened in the ritual sense required for matzah.
In British English, it is pronounced /ˈmætsə/ (MAT-suh). In American English, it is often /ˈmɑːtsə/ (MAHT-suh). The 'tz' is a 'ts' sound like in 'cats'.
Matzah meal is ground matzah, used in cooking and baking during Passover as a substitute for flour or breadcrumbs, most famously in matzah ball soup.
Anyone can eat matzah. While it is a central element of Jewish religious observance during Passover, it is also sold as a food product and can be consumed by anyone, often as a crispbread or ingredient.
A thin, crisp, unleavened bread, traditionally eaten during the Jewish festival of Passover.
Matzah is usually formal / religious / cultural in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Matzah crumbs in the beard" (a sign of participation in a Passover seder)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MATZAH' is the 'Manna' that the Israelites ATe in the desert After leaving Egypt in a Hurry.'
Conceptual Metaphor
MATZAH IS SIMPLICITY / MATZAH IS HISTORY (A physical embodiment of a historical narrative and a virtue of humility).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary religious significance of matzah?