# fry

/ˈfɹaɪ/ (US) · /fɹˈaɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fry
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to cook in oil

verb · CEFR A2

to cook food in hot oil or fat.

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

- I usually fry an egg for breakfast on Sunday mornings.
- The chef demonstrated how to fry the sea bass skin-side down to ensure a perfectly crisp texture without overcooking the delicate flesh.

### 2. to be very hot

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

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

- We were absolutely frying on the beach because we forgot the umbrella.
- Without any air conditioning in the office, the staff were practically frying during the record-breaking July heatwave.

### 3. fried potatoes

noun · CEFR A2 · American English

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

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

- Do you want a large order of fries with your burger?
- The restaurant is famous for its hand-cut fries, which are double-fried to achieve a golden exterior and a fluffy interior.

### 4. a fried meal

noun · CEFR B1 · British English · Dialect

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

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

- We had a massive fry at a small café in Dublin.
- After a long night, the hikers stopped at a local diner for a traditional fry to fuel their journey back down the mountain.

### 5. young fish

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

very young, small fish.

For teachers: recently hatched or very young fish; often used collectively.

- The shallow water near the shore was full of tiny fish fry.
- Conservationists are concerned that the pollution in the estuary is preventing the salmon fry from reaching maturity.

### 6. to damage electronics

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to destroy an electronic device with too much electricity.

For teachers: to destroy or disable an electronic circuit or device through an electrical surge or overheating.

- The lightning strike managed to fry my computer's motherboard.
- If you plug that European appliance into a high-voltage outlet without a converter, you will likely fry the internal components instantly.

## Examples

- We had a big fry for breakfast on Sunday morning.
- After a long night out, the group met at a local cafe for a traditional fry with extra toast.
- While the nutritional value of a daily fry is often debated, it remains a cultural staple of the weekend routine in many households across the British Isles.

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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.