What does salsa mean?
Salsa most commonly denotes a spicy or savory sauce made from ingredients such as tomatoes, chilies, onions, cilantro, and lime. It may be mild or hot and can range in texture from smooth to chunky; specific varieties include tomato salsa and green salsa verde. The word also refers to a lively dance and music genre rooted in Cuban and other Caribbean traditions and later strongly associated with Puerto Rican and broader Latin American popular music. In English, salsa commonly refers both to the food and to the performing arts, so context usually makes the intended sense clear. The culinary meaning derives ultimately from Spanish salsa, meaning “sauce,” while the cultural use comes through Spanish-speaking communities and became especially visible in the United States during the late twentieth century.
A spicy or savory sauce, especially one made from tomatoes, chilies, onions, and herbs.
"He added a spoonful of salsa to the tacos."
Often used for Mexican or Mexican-inspired sauces, but the term can also name sauces from other Latin American culinary traditions.
A Latin-derived dance and its syncopated accompanying music.
"The band played salsa for the international dance competition."
Normally uncountable in this sense.
Used chiefly for distinct sauces or dishes of salsa.
"The shop sells several mild and hot salsas."
Salsa made its way into English as a word for sauce before taking on its famous high-energy dance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does salsa come from?
English borrowed salsa from Spanish, in which it means “sauce.” Spanish salsa comes from feminine Latin salsa, “salted sauce or relish,” related to salsus, “seasoned with salt,” and ultimately to sal, “salt.” This root also underlies English words such as salt and salary and appears in related forms across many European languages.
How salsa is actually used
In culinary contexts, salsa often implies a Mexican or Mexican-inspired sauce, although the term is also used for sauces from other Latin American traditions. As a dance and music form, it is normally uncountable: salsa music, salsa dancing, a salsa band.
Easily confused with salsa
Salsa is an English noun for a seasoned sauce and for a Latin-derived dance and music, whereas salso is an adjective meaning salty or pungent.
Salsa is Spanish for sauce and is commonly used in English for both the sauce and the dance; in Spanish, it can also refer to an unpleasant situation or a coarse jest.