Quick Answer: Both hummus and hommus refer to the exact same popular Middle Eastern chickpea dip. “Hummus” is the standard, globally dominant English spelling, while “hommus” (and variant “houmous”) is an acceptable phonetic transliteration common in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the UK.
Test Your Knowledge: Hummus vs Hommus Quiz
If you have ever stood in the grocery store aisle wondering about hummus vs hommus, you are not alone. Because the dish originates from the Arabic language, converting its native script into the Latin alphabet results in multiple valid transliterations. Understanding why these spellings exist will clear up any confusion at dinner time or the supermarket.
Comparison Table: Hummus vs Hommus
| Term | Meaning | Part of Speech / Category | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hummus | Traditional dip made from blended chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. | Noun (Food / Cuisine) | “I ordered pita bread and smooth garlicky hummus for the appetizer.” |
| Hommus | Alternative regional spelling for the same chickpea dip. | Noun (Food / Regional Variant) | “The Australian brand labeled their organic dip as classic hommus.” |
What Does Hummus Mean?
Hummus is the primary English noun for a savory spread or dip made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic. The term comes directly from the Arabic word for chickpeas (حُمُّص). In global publishing, culinary guides, and American English dictionaries, “hummus” is universally recognized as the preferred standard spelling.
Examples of correct usage:
- “Dip fresh carrot sticks into homemade hummus for a healthy snack.”
- “This Mediterranean restaurant serves warm pita with olive oil-drizzled hummus.”
- “You can blend roasted red peppers into hummus for extra flavor.”
What Does Hommus Mean?
Hommus is a recognized variant spelling of the exact same chickpea dish. Because spoken Arabic vowels vary across dialects in the Levant and North Africa, translators phoneticize the short “u” sound using “o” or “ou”. In regions such as Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the Middle Eastern diaspora, food manufacturers routinely print “hommus” on commercial packaging.
Examples of correct usage:
- “The grocery store in Sydney stocks several varieties of hommus.”
- “Her grandmother’s recipe for traditional hommus uses extra tahini.”
- “Whether written as hommus or hummus, the ingredients remain identical.”
Is Hommus a Real Word?
Yes, hommus is a real and legitimate word, classified in major dictionaries as a secondary variant of “hummus.” It is not considered a spelling mistake, but rather a phonetic transliteration of Arabic into Latin characters. While “hummus” dominates online search engines and published cookbooks, “hommus” remains widely accepted across international food packaging.
How Can You Remember Which One to Use?
Remembering how to spell this savory dip is simple once you know your target audience and location.
Keep these handy rules in mind when writing or searching for recipes:
- The “U” Rule: Use HUmmus for the Universal, United States, and global standard spelling.
- The “O” Rule: Spot HOmmus on Oceania (Australia/NZ) grocery shelves and regional packaging.
Common Mistakes with Hummus and Hommus
Avoid these common misconceptions when discussing or writing about this dip:
- ✗ Hommus and hummus are two completely different recipes with different ingredients.
✓ Hommus and hummus are identical dishes with different regional spellings. - ✗ Writing “hommus” on a menu in Australia is an embarrassing spelling error.
✓ Writing “hommus” in Australia is an accepted regional food labeling practice. - ✗ Hummus is derived from Greek, which is why the spelling is fixed in stone.
✓ Hummus is derived from Arabic, which allows for multiple Latin transliterations. - ✗ Houmous is an invalid word invented by internet blogs.
✓ Houmous is the standard British English spelling used in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is correct: hummus, hommus, or houmous?
All three are correct transliterations of the Arabic word for chickpeas. “Hummus” is standard globally and in North America, “houmous” is preferred in the UK, and “hommus” is common in Australia.
Why are there different spellings for hummus vs hommus?
Different spellings exist because the dish originates from Arabic, which uses a non-Latin alphabet. Transliterating native spoken vowels into English leads to varied spellings like u, o, or ou.
Does hommus contain different ingredients than hummus?
No, hommus and hummus contain the exact same core ingredients: cooked chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil.
What is the most popular spelling online?
“Hummus” is by far the most popular spelling worldwide, accounting for over 90% of global internet searches and recipe publications.
Conclusion
When comparing hummus vs hommus, rest assured that both words describe the exact same delicious, chickpea-based spread. While “hummus” serves as the global standard spelling, “hommus” is a perfectly valid regional variant rooted in Arabic transliteration. No matter how you spell it on your shopping list, the dip on your plate remains unchanged.
Share this with someone who mixes these up to clear up their supermarket confusion!