jalebi

[ juh-lee-bee, -ley-, -leb-ee ]

noun

1. a dessert popular in South and Central Asia, consisting of spirals of batter that are deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup.

Word History and Origins

Origin of jalebi¹

First recorded in 1865–70; from Hindi or Urdu jalebī, ultimately from Persian zalābīya “fried doughnut”

Example Sentences

We did an amazing Jalebi churro on top of a rabri Panna cotta at Baar Baar.

From Salon

Tentative plans to pick up some jalebi, a deep-fried sweet snack, go out the window, but I do stop into Quality Foods, a supermarket with subcontinental treats, to pick up some spices.

From Washington Post

Mr. Griffiths is wandering around the cafeteria, talking to some of the adults, peering at the snacks but not eating any, and as he catches my eye as I’m stuffing the rest of my jalebi in my mouth instead of remaining a statue, he gives me an awkward little salute.

From Literature

And Priya Ahluwalia held a virtual reality exhibition to celebrate the release of her new photography book, “Jalebi,” that allowed the viewer to roam around a gallery and click on information points to find out more about what it means to be a young mixed-heritage person in modern Britain.

From New York Times

Muhammad Ismail Siddiqui, 54, a vendor selling traditional sweets like jalebi and gulab jamun, had covered them with clear plastic for protection.

From New York Times