Phrase guide

tikka masala

adj · noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˌtiːkə məˈsɑːlə/
  • /ˌtɪkə məˈsɑːlə/
  • rhymes with -ɑːlə

1

adj

Meaning 1

Of a style of Indian dish in which the main ingredient (such as chicken) is marinated, usually (but not necessarily) cooked in a tandoor and served in a masala sauce.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A dish prepared in this manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

First attested in the 1970s. Borrowed from Hindi टिक्का मसाला (ṭikkā masālā, “spicy pieces”).

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: تِيكَّا مَاسَالَا (tīkkā māsālā) — Indian marinade served in a masala sauce
  • French: tikka masala — Indian marinade served in a masala sauce
  • Greek: τίκα μασάλα (tíka masála) — Indian marinade served in a masala sauce
  • Hebrew: טִיקָה מָסָאלָה (tíka masalá) — Indian marinade served in a masala sauce
  • Hindi: टिक्का मसाला (ṭikkā masālā) — Indian marinade served in a masala sauce
  • Japanese: ティッカマサラ (tikka masara) — Indian marinade served in a masala sauce
  • Korean: 티카 마살라 (tika masalla) — Indian marinade served in a masala sauce
  • Persian: تِکه مَصالَح (tikâ masâlâh) — Indian marinade served in a masala sauce
  • Polish: tikka masala — Indian marinade served in a masala sauce
  • Russian: ти́кка маса́ла (tíkka masála) — Indian marinade served in a masala sauce
  • Urdu: تکا مصالہ (tikā masālāh) — Indian marinade served in a masala sauce