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jambalaya
noun
jam·ba·laya
ˌjəm-bə-ˈlī-ə
1
: rice cooked usually with ham, sausage, chicken, shrimp, or oysters and seasoned with herbs
2
: a mixture of diverse elements
curious jambalayas of competing elements—
Neil Hickey
Synonyms
- agglomerate
- agglomeration
- alphabet soup
- assortment
- botch
- clutter
- collage
- crazy quilt
- farrago
- gallimaufry
- grab bag
- gumbo
- hash
- hodgepodge
- hotchpotch
- jumble
- jungle
- litter
- macédoine
- medley
- mélange
- menagerie
- miscellanea
- miscellany
- mishmash
- mixed bag
- montage
- motley
- muddle
- olio
- olla podrida
- omnium-gatherum
- pastiche
- patchwork
- patchwork quilt
- potpourri
- ragbag
- ragout
- rummage
- salad
- salmagundi
- scramble
- shuffle
- smorgasbord
- stew
- tumble
- variety
- welter
Examples of jambalaya in a Sentence
its jambalaya of widely diverse nationalities and races gives the urban neighborhood a rich vitality
Recent Examples on the Web
Settle in at the 200-seat patio for orders of shrimp and grits and jambalaya, and save room for dessert—on Wednesdays, their Sip and Slice promo ($17) features a glass of Champagne or Aperol Spritz with a slice of Smith’s famous Hummingbird Cake.
—
Nicole Schnitzler, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 July 2024
The seasonal, seven-course menu often features a Louisiana rice offering that emphasizes the similarities between New Orleans jambalaya and the Senegalese version of jollof rice.
—
Rosalind Cummings-Yeates, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 June 2024
The jambalaya is a standout, loaded with chicken and sausage.
—
Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2024
Stirring the jambalaya is Kennedy, a member of the Bob Huggins coaching tree from his days as an assistant at Cincinnati.
—
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for jambalaya 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jambalaya.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Louisiana French, from Occitan jambalaia
First Known Use
1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Articles Related to jambalaya
Dictionary Entries Near jambalaya
Cite this Entry
“Jambalaya.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jambalaya. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
jambalaya
noun
jam·ba·laya
ˌjəm-bə-ˈlī-ə
: rice cooked with ham, sausage, chicken, shrimps, or oysters and seasoned with herbs
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