salsa

/ˈsɑlsə/

/ˈsælsə/

Other forms: salsas

The spicy, tomato-based sauce that's served with your burrito is salsa. Salsa is also great for dipping tortilla chips in.

Officially, the familiar Mexican type of salsa is called salsa picante, or "spicy sauce" in Spanish. In fact, salsa — which is rooted in the Latin salsa, "salty food" or "condiment" — means "sauce" in both Spanish and Italian. There is also a genre of music called salsa, which gets its name from the implied "spiciness" of the sauce, as well as the blending of Cuban and Puerto Rican styles of dance music.

Definitions of salsa

1. noun

   spicy sauce of tomatoes and onions and chili peppers to accompany Mexican foods
   type of:

   condiment

   a preparation (a sauce or relish or spice) to enhance flavor or enjoyment