zaatar

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UK/ˈzɑːtɑː/US/ˈzɑtɑɹ/

noun

A particular herb, similar in flavor to thyme or oregano, used in Middle Eastern cuisine (Origanum syriacum).

OriginArabic زَعْتَر ← Classical Syriac ܨܬܪܐ →
Scrabble 15
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Meanings

nounzaatar (uncountable)

alternative za'tar · alternative nonstandard za'atar · alternative nonstandard zatar

  1. uncountableA particular herb, similar in flavor to thyme or oregano, used in Middle Eastern cuisine (Origanum syriacum).
  2. uncountableA Middle Eastern seasoning, having this herb or a mixture of herbs as the main ingredient, with sumac (or other tart-flavored equivalent) and sesame seeds.

Origin

  1. Classical Syriacܨܬܪܐ
  2. Arabicزَعْتَر
  3. Englishzaatar

From Arabic زَعْتَر (zaʕtar), صَعْتَر (ṣaʕtar, “wild thyme; condiment made from this herb”), probably from Classical Syriac ܨܬܪܐ (ṣāṯrā), related to Hebrew צַתְרָה (ṣátrā).

More words from Arabic, Classical Syriac

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Arabic زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ, خُلْطَة زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ
  • زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ (zaʕtar nābulsiyy)herb
  • خُلْطَة زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ (ḵulṭat zaʕtar nābulsiyy)seasoning
  • زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ (zaʕtar nābulsiyy)seasoning
French zaatar
  • zaatarseasoning
Hebrew זַעְתַּר, אֵזוֹב
  • זַעְתַּר (zá'tar)herb
  • אֵזוֹב (ezóv)herb
  • זַעְתַּר (zá'tar)seasoning
Japanese ザアタル, ザータル
  • ザアタル (zaataru)seasoning
  • ザータル (zātaru)seasoning
Polish zatar
  • zatarseasoning
Russian за́атар, за́тар
  • за́атар (záatar)seasoning
  • за́тар (zátar)seasoning
Spanish za'atar, zaatar
  • za'atarherb
  • zaatarherb
  • zatarherb
  • zahatarherb
  • za'atarseasoning
  • zaatarseasoning
  • zatarseasoning
  • zahatarseasoning
Turkish zahter, zahter
  • zahterherb
  • zahterseasoning
Cite this entry
APA

zaatar. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/zaatar

MLA

“zaatar.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/zaatar. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “zaatar,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/zaatar.

Source: zaatar on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.