Definition

A small piece of dough that can be filled with various ingredients and is cooked in water or soup, often served as a dish or dessert.

Example

We enjoyed a delicious bowl of chicken soup with dumplings on a cold day.

Conversation

Have you ever tried making a dumpling at home?

No, I haven't, but I've always wanted to learn how!

It's actually pretty fun and you can fill it with whatever you like.

That sounds delicious! Maybe we can have a dumpling night together.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Dumpling originates from the 17th-century English word 'dump' (meaning to put down or drop) combined with the diminutive suffix '-ling' (meaning small). The word 'dumpling' refers to a small, often round mass of dough that is dropped or put down into boiling water or broth.

Memory Tip

Think of 'dumping' something down into a pot, and the '-ling' makes it small — that's why a dumpling is a small piece of dough dropped into a dish.

Visually Confused Words