# broth

/ˈbɹɔθ/ (US) · /bɹˈɒθ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/broth
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. liquid base for cooking

noun · CEFR B1

the clear liquid you get after boiling meat, bones, or vegetables in water for a long time.

For teachers: the liquid resulting from simmering meat, bones, or vegetables, often used as a foundational ingredient for more complex dishes.

- She used the chicken broth to make a delicious risotto for dinner.
- The chef insisted on preparing a fresh vegetable broth from scratch rather than using pre-packaged cubes to ensure the soup had a delicate flavour.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the liquid itself.

Teaching tip: While 'broth' and 'stock' are often used interchangeably, broth is usually seasoned and can be eaten alone, whereas stock is typically unseasoned and used as an ingredient.

### 2. a thin soup

noun · CEFR B2

a simple, thin soup that often has small pieces of meat or vegetables in it.

For teachers: a thin, clear soup containing solid ingredients such as grains, herbs, or diced meat.

- A warm bowl of beef broth was exactly what he needed while he had a cold.
- The menu featured a traditional Scotch broth, a hearty soup thickened with barley and filled with root vegetables.

## Examples

- I added some broth to the rice.
- She simmered chicken broth with carrots and celery to make a warm soup for dinner.
- The chef reduced the rich beef broth by half to create a concentrated glaze that coated the roasted vegetables.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.