Definition

1. Noun:
   • A plant: A tall annual plant (Abelmoschus esculentus) cultivated in warm climates, known for its edible seed pods.
   • An edible pod: The long, green, mucilaginous (slimy) seed pods of the okra plant, used as a vegetable in cooking.

Examples

• Noun (Plant):
  • The farmer grows okra in his summer garden.
  • Okra thrives in hot weather.
• Noun (Vegetable):
  • She bought fresh okra at the market to make gumbo.
  • The okra was sliced and added to the stew.

Advanced Usage

• "Okra" as a key ingredient: Often associated with specific regional cuisines, such as Southern U.S., Caribbean, West African, and South Asian cooking.
  • Okra is a fundamental ingredient in traditional Creole gumbo.
• Descriptive terms for texture: The pods are frequently described as "mucilaginous," referring to the thick, slippery liquid they release when cut and cooked.
  • Some people dislike the slimy texture of boiled okra.

Variants and Related Words

• Gumbo: (n) In the Southern United States, "gumbo" can be a synonym for the okra plant or its pods.
  • She used gumbo to thicken the soup.
• Lady's finger: (n) A common alternative name for okra, especially in British and Commonwealth English.
  • The recipe calls for 200 grams of lady's fingers.

Synonyms

• Gumbo (chiefly Southern US)
• Lady's finger (chiefly British English)
• Bhindi (in South Asian contexts)

Related Phrases

• Okra plant: Refers specifically to the cultivated plant itself.
  • The okra plant can grow over six feet tall.
• Okra pod: Specifies the edible fruit/vegetable part.
  • Harvest the okra pods while they are still young and tender.

Noun

1. long mucilaginous green pods; may be simmered or sauteed but used especially in soups and stews
2. tall coarse annual of Old World tropics widely cultivated in southern United States and West Indies for its long mucilaginous green pods used as basis for soups and stews; sometimes placed in genus Hibiscus
3. long green edible beaked pods of the okra plant