arugula

[ uh-roo-guh-luh ]

noun

1. a Mediterranean plant, Eruca vesicaria sativa, of the mustard family, having pungent leaves used in salads.

arugula

/ əˈruːɡjʊlə /

noun

1. another name for rocket 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of arugula¹

1965–70; apparently < an Upper Italian dial. form, akin to Lombard arigola, Venetian rucola < Latin ērūca name for Eruca sativa (compare Italian ruca ), with diminutive suffix -ola < Latin -ula -ule; rocket ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of arugula¹

C20: from N Italian dialect

Example Sentences

And they have a side of spinach that I’ll get to pretend to be healthy, or an arugula salad.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2007, for example, Barack Obama was pegged as out of touch by some when he mentioned the high price of arugula at Whole Foods while campaigning in Iowa.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m one of those lovers, especially with the supernaturally fresh bags of Tampopo arugula I used to get weekly at the Phinney Farmers Market.

From Seattle Times

This was decades before Father’s Office put caramelized onions, blue cheese and arugula on its burger, and the one at Throck’s was a mostly traditional affair.

From Los Angeles Times

Any combination of bitter greens, such as frisée, endive, radicchio, escarole or arugula, works well in this recipe.

From Washington Times