pilau: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Standard, culinary
Quick answer
What does “pilau” mean?
A spiced rice dish, often cooked with meat, fish, or vegetables.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A spiced rice dish, often cooked with meat, fish, or vegetables.
Can refer to a dish with rice that is browned in oil, then cooked in seasoned broth. In some contexts, "pilau" is used as a metaphor for a mixture or jumble.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, "pilau" (or "pilaff") is the standard spelling for the dish. In the US, "pilaf" is the dominant spelling; "pilau" is less common and may be perceived as a more specific international variant.
Connotations
In the UK, it strongly connotes South Asian (particularly Indian/Pakistani) cuisine. In the US, "pilaf" has broader connotations, potentially including Middle Eastern, Central Asian, or generic 'fancy rice' dishes.
Frequency
"Pilau" is moderately frequent in UK culinary contexts. In the US, "pilaf" is the high-frequency term; "pilau" is low-frequency and often found in contexts specifically referencing certain regional cuisines.
Grammar
How to Use “pilau” in a Sentence
[Subject] cooks/makes/prepares [pilau].[Pilau] is served with [accompaniment].[Pilau] contains [ingredient].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pilau” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We're going to pilau the rice with those leftover spices.
- (Note: 'to pilau' as a verb is very rare and non-standard).
American English
- (Not used as a verb; 'to make pilaf' is used).
adjective
British English
- She ordered the pilau rice as a side.
- The pilau seasoning was perfect.
American English
- (Generally not used adjectivally; 'pilaf rice' or 'pilaf-style rice' is used).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in hospitality/food industry contexts (e.g., 'adding a chicken pilau to the lunch menu').
Academic
Rare, except in historical, anthropological, or culinary studies discussing food culture.
Everyday
Common in discussions about food, cooking, meals, and restaurants, especially in the UK and in communities with South Asian culinary influence.
Technical
Used in professional culinary contexts to describe a specific cooking technique and dish category.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pilau”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pilau”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pilau”
- Spelling: 'pillau', 'pilow', 'pilaf' (in UK context).
- Pronunciation: Misplacing stress (e.g., 'PILL-ow' instead of 'pee-LOW').
- Conceptual: Confusing it with 'biryani', which involves layering and is often more elaborate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Pilau is seasoned and cooked in broth with spices (often after first browning the rice in oil), giving it a distinct flavor and fragrance, unlike plain boiled or steamed rice.
No, they are distinct dishes. Pilau (or pulao) typically involves cooking the rice and meat/vegetables together in one pot. Biryani often involves par-cooking the rice and meat separately before layering and finishing them together, and it may use different spices and techniques.
Yes, absolutely. Vegetable pilau is common, using vegetables like peas, carrots, and cauliflower, and vegetable stock.
Mushy pilau is usually caused by using too much liquid, overcooking, or stirring the rice too much during cooking. The rice should be rinsed, the liquid ratio measured accurately (typically 1:1.5 or 1:2 rice to liquid), and left undisturbed to steam after simmering.
A spiced rice dish, often cooked with meat, fish, or vegetables.
Pilau is usually standard, culinary in register.
Pilau: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpiːlaʊ/ or /pɪˈlaʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /piːˈlaʊ/ or /ˈpiːlaʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. Culinary term.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PEEL' an 'OW' of onions to start a tasty PILAU.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD AS CULTURAL HERITAGE / A MIXTURE OF COMPONENTS (e.g., 'The report was a pilau of conflicting data').
Practice
Quiz
Which spelling is most common in American English for the rice dish 'pilau'?