English Reference
verb · noun

fry

v. · n.
US /ˈfɹaɪ/ UK /fɹˈaɪ/ fry

  1. 01 A2 Elementary Cooking

    v.to cook food in hot oil or fat.

    v.to cook food in a pan or griddle using hot fat or oil as the heat transfer medium.

    Simple

    I usually fry an egg for breakfast on Sunday mornings.

    In context

    The chef demonstrated how to fry the sea bass skin-side down to ensure a perfectly crisp texture without overcooking the delicate flesh.

    sautésearbrown
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    v.to feel very hot, usually because of the sun or weather.

    v.to be subjected to intense heat or solar radiation; often used figuratively to describe physical discomfort.

    Simple

    We were absolutely frying on the beach because we forgot the umbrella.

    In context

    Without any air conditioning in the office, the staff were practically frying during the record-breaking July heatwave.

    roastswelterburn
  3. 03 A2 Elementary American English Cooking

    n.long, thin pieces of potato that have been cooked in oil.

    n.a strip of potato that has been deep-fried; typically used in the plural form.

    Simple

    Do you want a large order of fries with your burger?

    In context

    The restaurant is famous for its hand-cut fries, which are double-fried to achieve a golden exterior and a fluffy interior.

    Pitfall
    I would like a fry with my burger. I would like some fries with my burger.

    In American English, this noun is almost always used in the plural form 'fries' when referring to the side dish.

    chipsfrench fries
  4. 04 B1 Intermediate British EnglishDialect Cooking

    n.a meal consisting of several different fried foods, like eggs, bacon, and sausages.

    n.a cooked breakfast or meal consisting primarily of fried items such as eggs, bacon, and sausages.

    Simple

    We had a massive fry at a small café in Dublin.

    In context

    After a long night, the hikers stopped at a local diner for a traditional fry to fuel their journey back down the mountain.

    fry upfull breakfast
  5. 05 C1 Advanced Technical Science

    n.very young, small fish.

    n.recently hatched or very young fish; often used collectively.

    Simple

    The shallow water near the shore was full of tiny fish fry.

    In context

    Conservationists are concerned that the pollution in the estuary is preventing the salmon fry from reaching maturity.

    fingerlingsoffspring
  6. 06 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Computing

    v.to destroy an electronic device with too much electricity.

    v.to destroy or disable an electronic circuit or device through an electrical surge or overheating.

    Simple

    The lightning strike managed to fry my computer's motherboard.

    In context

    If you plug that European appliance into a high-voltage outlet without a converter, you will likely fry the internal components instantly.

    short circuitburn out
This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated