VocabuoDictionaryGet the app
other

nuez moscada

nutmeg

Definition & meaning

Nuez moscada means nutmeg, the aromatic seed of the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans). It is used as a spice, either grated or ground, in both sweet and savory dishes.

It can refer to:

  • The whole seed: a hard, oval spice that is usually grated.
  • The ground spice made from that seed.

The related spice mace is made from the reddish covering around the seed, not from the seed itself.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Nuez is a feminine noun meaning “nut” or “kernel”: .
  • Moscada is a feminine adjective meaning “musk-scented” or “fragrant”: .
  • The adjective agrees with the feminine noun: la nuez moscada.
  • The plural is nueces moscadas, although the spice is commonly used as a mass noun in the singular.

The expression ultimately relates to the Latin nux muscata, meaning “musk-scented nut.”

Synonyms & antonyms

There is no exact everyday synonym for nuez moscada. In some contexts, the shortened form moscada may be used when it is already clear that the spice is meant: .

There are no direct antonyms, since this word names a specific spice.

Common phrases & collocations

  • rallar nuez moscada — to grate nutmeg: , ,
  • nuez moscada molida — ground nutmeg:
  • una pizca de nuez moscada — a pinch of nutmeg:
  • añadir nuez moscada — to add nutmeg:
  • salsa con nuez moscada — sauce with nutmeg:

Make “nuez moscada” part of your vocabulary.

Build your Spanish vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Get Vocabuo on the App StoreGet Vocabuo for Android

Examples

La nuez moscada mejora el sabor de la sopa.other

Nutmeg improves the flavor of the soup.

La nuez moscada aromatiza bien la sopa.other

Nutmeg flavors the soup well.

Keep exploring Spanish

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play