ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dishes

n. C / U
A1 Beginner US //ˈdɪʃəz// UK //dˈɪʃɪz// dish·es

n. the plates, bowls, and cups you use for eating and serving food. It also refers to the job of washing them after a meal.

n. containers such as plates, bowls, and platters used for serving or consuming food; by extension, the collective items requiring washing after a meal. Plural form of 'dish'.


SIMPLE

I need to wash the dishes after dinner.

CONTEXTUAL

We stacked the dirty dishes in the sink and promised to clean them in the morning.

COMPLEX

The restaurant staff worked quickly to clear the dishes from the tables before the next group of diners arrived for the evening service.

Synonyms
Usage

Countable when referring to specific types of food or individual containers; uncountable when referring to the collective task of washing up ('do the dishes').

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