# dishes

/ˈdɪʃəz/ (US) · /dˈɪʃɪz/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. plates and bowls

noun · CEFR A1

more than one plate, bowl, or cup used for eating and serving food.

For teachers: the plural of dish, denoting multiple items of crockery or containers used for food service.

- We need to put the clean dishes back in the cupboard.
- The caterers arranged the ceramic dishes across the buffet table, ensuring each platter was easily accessible to the guests.

### 2. the chore of washing up

noun · CEFR A1

the task of washing the plates and cutlery after a meal.

For teachers: the collective activity of washing used kitchenware and tableware after a meal.

- It is your turn to do the dishes after dinner tonight.
- After the holiday feast, the entire family gathered in the kitchen to help do the dishes and clear the counters.

Usage: usually used with the verb 'do'

### 3. to serve or gossip

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to serve food onto a plate, or to share interesting secrets and gossip.

For teachers: the third-person singular present form of 'dish', used for serving food or informally for sharing gossip.

- She always dishes the latest office gossip during our lunch break.
- The chef dishes the pasta into individual bowls while the waiter prepares the garnish.

Usage: often used in the phrasal verb 'dish out'

## Examples

- I need to wash the dishes after dinner.
- We stacked the dirty dishes in the sink and promised to clean them in the morning.
- The restaurant staff worked quickly to clear the dishes from the tables before the next group of diners arrived for the evening service.

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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.