matcha

noun

ˈmä-chə

ˈma-

plural matchas

: a green powder made from ground green tea leaves that is used to make tea and other beverages and as a flavoring agent

Our meal began with matcha, the traditional green tea of the tea ceremony. The powder is spooned into a ceramic bowl, hot water added and the mixture whisked to a frothy jade.—Alan Brown

Walk into a coffee shop or peruse Instagram and you're sure to have seen a matcha latte.—Alysha Witwicki

also : tea made from matcha

At the time, he often experienced midafternoon malaise and began drinking hot matcha on his brother's recommendation. —Jill Radsken

Examples of matcha 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.

What started as a kitschy vessel for zhuzhing up morning matchas and sleepytime mocktails has expanded into the (albeit photogenic) demon of drinkware. — Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 The coffee chain is targeting younger consumers by adding more iced drinks and matcha to its menus. — Leah Quinn, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Those come in more fun colorways, including rosette and matcha, in addition to the drab but functional graphite of the Tablet 12 Pro. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026 Until then, both the shop and its in-house matcha bar will be open through the holidays. — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for matcha

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Japanese, from mat-, form in compounding of matsu "to rub, daub, paint" + cha "tea"

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of matcha was in 1881

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

match

matcha

matchable

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Matcha.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matcha. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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matcha

noun

Examples of matcha in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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