marinara

[ mahr-uh-nahr-uh, mar-uh-nar-uh ]

noun

1. Italian Cooking. a highly seasoned sauce of tomatoes, garlic, and spices.

adjective

1. garnished or served with marinara:

   shrimps marinara.

Word History and Origins

Origin of marinara¹

1945–50; < Italian ( alla ) marinara literally, in sailor's style, feminine of marinaro seafaring (adj.), sailor (noun) (dial., for Tuscan marinaio ), equivalent to marin ( a ) sea, noun use of feminine of marino marine + -aro < Latin -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

And once I had tried the Rao’s Homemade, I honestly couldn't believe it — especially the marinara sauce, which is my favorite.

From Salon

He tossed broken lasagna into a soup of marinara and ground beef and stirred it together.

From Seattle Times

And if players want a heartier meal, there will be a hot food buffet with chicken breasts, green beans, penne pasta with marinara sauce and baby red potatoes.

From Seattle Times

That crust doubles as a breadstick and is meant to be dipped in XO sauce, marinara or ranch dressing.

From Seattle Times

I shakily inhale the scents of garlic and marinara sauce.

From Literature