# cooking

/ˈkʊkɪŋ/ (US) · /kˈʊkɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cooking
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. preparing food

noun · CEFR A1

the activity of preparing food by heating it.

For teachers: the process or activity of preparing food for consumption, typically involving the application of heat.

- My brother does most of the cooking in our house because he enjoys it.
- While some people find daily cooking a chore, others view the preparation of a complex meal as a therapeutic creative outlet.

### 2. style of food

noun · CEFR B1

a particular style or quality of food.

For teachers: the style or quality of food prepared, often associated with a specific region or person.

- I really love my grandmother's home cooking.
- The restaurant is famous for its traditional French cooking, which relies heavily on fresh butter and seasonal herbs.

### 3. used for food preparation

adjective · CEFR A2

describing something used for making food.

For teachers: intended for or used in the preparation of food; often used as an attributive modifier.

- We need to buy some new cooking oil and a large pot.
- The chef insisted on using professional-grade cooking utensils to ensure the heat was distributed evenly across the pan.

### 5. happening

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

happening or being planned right now.

For teachers: in progress or being planned; typically used in the phrase 'what's cooking'.

- You all look very busy; what's cooking?
- The marketing team has been very quiet lately, leading many to wonder what kind of new campaign is cooking behind closed doors.

## Examples

- I really enjoy cooking for my friends on weekends.
- The restaurant is famous for its traditional Italian cooking and fresh ingredients.
- While some view cooking as a daily chore, others find it to be a creative outlet that allows for endless experimentation with flavors and textures.

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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.