Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for yam

yam

[ yam ]

noun

  1. the starchy, tuberous root of any of various climbing vines of the genus Dioscorea, cultivated for food in warm regions.
  2. any of these plants.


yam

/ jæm /

noun

  1. any of various twining plants of the genus Dioscorea, of tropical and subtropical regions, cultivated for their edible tubers: family Dioscoreaceae
  2. the starchy tuber of any of these plants, which is eaten as a vegetable
  3. any of certain large varieties of sweet potato
  4. See potato
    a former Scot name for the (common) potato


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of yam1

First recorded in 1580–90; compare Gullah nyam, Jamaican English nyaams, Sranan jamsi, from sources in one or more West African languages (compare Wolof nyam (nyam), Fulani nyami “to eat,” Twi εnãm “flesh”); earlier English forms, from Portuguese inhame or Spanish (i)ñame

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of yam1

C17: from Portuguese inhame, ultimately of West African origin; compare Senegal nyami to eat

Discover More

Example Sentences

He called his college roommate, Sam Yam, who immediately got to coding; within months, their website, Patreon, was launched.

The sorbet was tangy and was a tad tart while in the main course the pepper in the yam croquette brought it to life.

But she didnae speak plain, ye maun understand; but yam-yammered, like a powny wi' the bit in its moo.

I carried a long stick, much longer than a waddy; perhaps it was a yam-stick—I cannot remember.

Taking a yam-stick as pointer, I would often draw roughly in the sand almost every animal in Nature.

It bears a long even-edged leaf about an inch wide; the taste somewhat resembled that of a yam.

Yams were in great abundance, very fine and large; one yam weighed above forty-five pounds.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


YaluYama