Word
courgette
Phoneticscour·gette, stress on the second syllable
US/kʊrˈʒɛt/
UK/kɜːdʒˈɛt/
Definition
n. a long, thin vegetable with dark green skin and soft white flesh inside. It is a type of summer squash often used in cooking.
n. a long, cylindrical summer squash with dark green skin and tender, edible flesh. Known as zucchini in North American English.
Examples
“I sliced the courgette for the salad.”
“The recipe calls for one large courgette, which should be sliced thinly before being sautéed with garlic and olive oil.”
“To achieve the perfect texture in a ratatouille, one must ensure the courgette is cooked until tender but still retains its shape and vibrant colour.”
Examples
simple
“I sliced the courgette for the salad.”
contextual
“The recipe calls for one large courgette, which should be sliced thinly before being sautéed with garlic and olive oil.”
complex
“To achieve the perfect texture in a ratatouille, one must ensure the courgette is cooked until tender but still retains its shape and vibrant colour.”
Usage
Commonly referred to as 'zucchini' in North American English; 'courgette' is the standard term in British English.
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French courgette, diminutive of courge (“vegetable marrow, marrow squash”). Ultimately related to zucchini through Latin cucurbita.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/courgette