falafel

noun

fa·​la·​fel fə-ˈlä-fəl How to pronounce falafel (audio)
variants or less commonly felafel
plural falafel also felafel
: a spicy mixture of ground vegetables (such as chickpeas or fava beans) formed into balls or patties and then fried

Examples of falafel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dishes include harissa avocado bowls, steak and feta pitas, and falafel crunch salads. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026 Protein options include chicken or beef shawarma, kafta, falafel and beef or lamb gyro meat. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026 Inspired by falafel but deconstructed, these hearty pitas are filled with roasted cauliflower and crispy chickpeas, then topped with a spicy jalapeño yogurt sauce. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 23 July 2026 Expect pita foldies stuffed with wagyu, ahi tuna or falafel, breakfast pitas, smash burgers, Jamaican beef patties, vegan soft serve and smoothies like the Island Love (coconut milk, ginger) and the Queen City (matcha, kale, pineapple). — Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for falafel

Word History

Etymology

Arabic falāfil

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of falafel was in 1936

Rhymes for falafel

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Browse Nearby Words

fa la
falafel
Falaise
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Falafel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/falafel. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on falafel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about falafel

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