What does marinara mean?
Marinara is a tomato-based sauce seasoned with garlic and herbs, especially familiar in Italian-style cooking. It is most often used with pasta, pizza, and other baked or roasted dishes. The word began as the name of a sauce, but it can also serve as an adjective, as in “marinara pasta” or “marinara pizza.” In everyday English, “marinara sauce” is more usual than the shortened “marinara” when referring specifically to the sauce itself, although “marinara” is common when the meaning is clear from context. The word comes from Italian, where it ultimately means “sailor’s” or “seaman’s,” an origin connected with the maritime tradition associated with Italian coastal communities. Its association with tomato sauce became established in the twentieth century, particularly in the United States, where bottled and restaurant versions became widely familiar.
A tomato-based sauce flavored with garlic and herbs, commonly served with pasta, pizza, and other dishes.
"He poured marinara over the fried potatoes."
Usually occurs in the expression “marinara sauce,” especially when the sauce is being discussed by itself.
Made with or characterized by marinara sauce.
"They ordered a marinara pizza with extra cheese."
Common in food names such as “marinara pasta,” “marinara pizza,” and “marinara sauce.”
The plural is rare because marinara is usually used as a modifier or as part of the fixed phrase “marinara sauce.”
"The kitchen prepared two marinara for the meal."
Marinara literally means “sailor’s” in Italian, a surprising detail for a sauce whose familiar flavor comes from tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does marinara come from?
The word comes from Italian marinara, the feminine form of marinaro, meaning “sailor’s” or “seaman’s.” The Italian adjective ultimately derives from Latin marinus, meaning “of the sea” or “maritime.” English borrowed the word in the context of Italian cooking, initially referring to a sauce prepared in a marinara style.
How marinara is actually used
The term is common in British and American English. It is usually used in the fixed expression “marinara sauce”; in culinary contexts, it may also function as an adjective before a noun.