tapioca — A starchy substance extracted from cassava root, used to make puddings and bubble tea pearls
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: A starchy substance extracted from cassava root, used to make puddings and bubble tea pearls
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌtæpiˈoʊkə/
Example Sentences
- My grandmother's tapioca pudding was so thick, we could use it as glue for our school projects.
- The tapioca pearls in bubble tea provide a unique chewy texture.
- He accidentally inhaled a tapioca pearl and spent five minutes coughing like a broken motorcycle.
tapioca
NOUN[/ˌtæpiˈoʊkə/]
A starchy substance extracted from cassava root, used to make puddings and bubble tea pearls
Making tapioca pudding and pearls
Making tapioca and mocha to the rhythm of polka!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Tapioca derives from Tupi, the language of indigenous Brazilian peoples. The word originates from 'tipioca', the Tupi term for starch extracted from cassava root, which was transmitted through Portuguese during the colonial period and subsequently adopted into English.
Breakdown
tipi- (cassava) + -óka (pressed out, extracted). The morpheme structure reflects the Tupi process of pressing and extracting starch from cassava pulp.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandmother's tapioca pudding was so thick, we could use it as glue for our school projects.”
“The tapioca pearls in bubble tea provide a unique chewy texture.”
“He accidentally inhaled a tapioca pearl and spent five minutes coughing like a broken motorcycle.”
“Tapioca starch is commonly used as a gluten-free thickening agent.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.