mustard

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/ˈmʌstərd/
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A word for a sharp condiment made from mustard seeds, the plant or seed it comes from, and a dull warm yellow color.

Examples

  • He put mustard on his hot dog.
  • A mustard sofa can make a room feel warmer.
  • Dijon mustard gives the dressing a sharp flavor.
  • Black mustard seeds are often stronger than yellow ones.
  • He chose a mustard tie for the autumn wedding.

Similar words

dull yellow
mustard plant
whole-grain mustard
mustard sauce
mustard seed
prepared mustard
yellow mustard
mustard greens
mustard yellow
Dijon mustard

Meanings

Yellow or brown condiment

noun
everyday
neutral
A sharp-tasting yellow or brown sauce or paste made from mustard seeds, often eaten with meat, sandwiches, hot dogs, or dressings.

Usage

Use mustard for the prepared condiment. Specify the type when flavor matters, such as yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, whole-grain mustard, or English mustard.

Examples

  • He put mustard on his hot dog.
  • Dijon mustard gives the dressing a sharp flavor.
  • The sandwich came with ham, cheese, and mustard.
  • She mixed mustard with honey for a dipping sauce.
  • English mustard can be quite hot.

Common mistakes

Do not use mustard for every yellow sauce. The condiment is made from mustard seeds and usually has a sharp, tangy, or pungent taste.
IncorrectCorrect
I put mustard in my coffee. I put mustard on my hot dog.
Ketchup is a kind of mustard. Ketchup and mustard are different condiments.
She spread a mustard on the sandwich. She spread mustard on the sandwich.
The mustard are spicy. The mustard is spicy.

Similar words

Plant or seed used as spice

noun
everyday
neutral
A plant in the cabbage family, or its small seeds, used to make mustard, season food, produce oil, or grow edible greens.

Usage

Use mustard seed when referring specifically to the seed, and mustard greens for the edible leaves. Mustard plant is clearer when the plant itself matters.

Examples

  • Farmers grow mustard for its seeds and leaves.
  • Black mustard seeds are often stronger than yellow ones.
  • The recipe calls for one teaspoon of mustard seed.
  • Mustard greens come from varieties of the mustard plant.
  • Ground mustard adds heat to the sauce.

Common mistakes

The plant, seed, condiment, and greens are related but not the same thing. Add a noun when needed for clarity.
IncorrectCorrect
I planted a jar of mustard. I planted mustard seeds.
Mustard greens are the sauce. Mustard greens are edible leaves.
Mustard seed are tiny. Mustard seeds are tiny.
The mustard plant is a bottle. The mustard plant produces seeds used in the condiment.

Similar words

Dull yellow color

adjective
everyday
neutral
Having a dull, warm yellow color like prepared mustard.

Usage

Use mustard before color words or clothing and design nouns, such as mustard yellow, mustard sweater, or mustard walls. It suggests a darker or earthier yellow than bright lemon yellow.

Examples

  • She wore a mustard scarf with a gray coat.
  • The kitchen walls were painted mustard yellow.
  • A mustard sofa can make a room feel warmer.
  • The logo uses black letters on a mustard background.
  • He chose a mustard tie for the autumn wedding.

Common mistakes

The color sense is usually attributive, placed before the noun. It does not mean the object tastes like mustard.
IncorrectCorrect
She wore a sweater mustard. She wore a mustard sweater.
Mustard yellow means bright blue. Mustard yellow is a dull warm yellow.
The wall tastes mustard. The wall is mustard yellow.
He bought mustard shoes sauce. He bought mustard-colored shoes.

Similar words

Usage

Use context to distinguish the condiment, the plant or seed, and the color. Add seed, greens, plant, or yellow when confusion is possible.

Common mistakes

Mustard is usually uncountable for the condiment: say some mustard or a jar of mustard, not a mustard unless referring to a type of mustard.

Etymology

From Old French mostarde, related to Latin mustum, grape must, because ground mustard seeds were historically mixed with must to make a condiment.

FAQ

What is mustard?

Mustard is a sharp condiment made from mustard seeds, and it can also mean the plant, seed, or a dull yellow color.

Is mustard a sauce?

Prepared mustard is a condiment or sauce made from ground mustard seeds and liquid such as vinegar, water, or wine.

What are mustard seeds?

They are small seeds from mustard plants, used as a spice and to make prepared mustard.

What color is mustard?

Mustard is a dull, warm yellow color similar to the condiment.

Is mustard countable?

The condiment is usually uncountable, as in some mustard. A mustard can mean a type of mustard.

What is a synonym for mustard?

Depending on the sense, synonyms include prepared mustard, mustard sauce, mustard seed, mustard plant, and mustard yellow.

How do you use mustard in a sentence?

For example: He put mustard on his hot dog.

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