chai

chai · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A beverage made from black tea brewed with aromatic spices (such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves) and typically mixed with milk and sweetener.

  2. 2.

    The word for tea in many languages, especially Hindi and other South Asian languages.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    chai latte — chai tea mixed with steamed milk
  • •
    masala chai — spiced tea (masala means "spice mixture")
  • •
    chai tea — redundant term often used in Western countries (chai already means tea)

Related words

See also: cha, spice, tea
Synonyms: masala tea, spiced tea

Etymology

From Hindi chai (चाय), ultimately from Chinese cha (茶) meaning "tea." The word traveled westward along trade routes.