VocabDictionary
🇬🇧English to Englishμεράκι[meraki]

meraki

/məˈrɑːki/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

(Greek, informal) The soul, creativity, or love put into something; the essence of oneself that is put into one's work. It describes doing something with complete devotion, passion, and care, often leaving a piece of oneself in the work.

Example Sentences:
  • She cooked the meal with such meraki, you could taste the love and care in every bite.
  • The artisan poured all his meraki into crafting the intricate wooden sculpture, making it truly unique.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “meraki”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

From Modern Greek μεράκι (meráki), which itself derives from Ottoman Turkish مراق (merak), meaning 'ardor, zeal, passion', and ultimately from Arabic مِرَاق (mirāq, 'melancholy, hypochondria'). The meaning evolved in Greek to signify the act of doing something with soul, creativity, or love, often leaving a piece of oneself in the work.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'My Raki' (a type of drink) – imagine putting your whole heart and soul into making or enjoying something, just like you would a special drink.

Frequently Asked Questions About “meraki

1. What is the meaning of “meraki” in English?

In English, meraki (noun) is defined as: “(Greek, informal) The soul, creativity, or love put into something; the essence of oneself that is put into one's work. It describes doing something with complete devotion, passion, and care, often leaving a piece of oneself in the work.”.

2. How do you use “meraki” in a sentence?

She cooked the meal with such meraki, you could taste the love and care in every bite.

3. What are English synonyms of “meraki”?

Common synonyms include:passion,devotion,zeal,ardor,soulfulness

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “meraki”?

From Modern Greek μεράκι (meráki), which itself derives from Ottoman Turkish مراق (merak), meaning 'ardor, zeal, passion', and ultimately from Arabic مِرَاق (mirāq, 'melancholy, hypochondria'). The meaning evolved in Greek to signify the act of doing something with soul, creativity, or love, often leaving a piece of oneself in the work.