nigiri

noun

ni·​giri ni-ˈgir-ē How to pronounce nigiri (audio)
plural nigiri
: a Japanese dish consisting of sliced usually raw seafood on top of a shaped handful of vinegar-dressed rice

Examples of nigiri in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The restaurant serves its classic omakase menu, centered on nigiri. — Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 The uber-buttery snow crab nigiri might just be perfection in a single bite. — Nathanael Gassett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026 In Japan, hands are actually the norm for nigiri. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026 The nigiri that followed was a stunning sculptural array of fish, shellfish, herbs, vegetables, and edible starflowers. — Julie Orringer, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nigiri

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Japanese, short for nigirizushi, from nigiri, noun correspondent of nigiru "to grasp, form with the hands" + -zushi sushi

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nigiri was in 1961

Rhymes for nigiri

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Browse Nearby Words

nightworks
nigiri
nignay
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nigiri.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nigiri. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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