English Reference

Word

grill

US/ˈɡɹɪɫ/

UK/ɡɹˈɪl/

Definitions

01cooking equipment

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Cooking

n. a frame of metal bars used for cooking food over a fire or under heat.

n. a device consisting of a metal grating used for cooking food by means of direct radiative heat.

“Put the burgers on the grill once the coals are hot.”

“The chef cleaned the stainless steel grill thoroughly before searing the marinated vegetables over the high-intensity flame.”

Usage

In British English, the heat source is typically above the food; in American English, it is usually below.

Synonyms

02car part

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. the metal or plastic cover at the front of a car that lets air in.

n. a grating at the front of a vehicle that allows air to circulate to the radiator while protecting the engine compartment.

“The front grill of the truck was damaged in the accident.”

“The luxury sedan featured a distinctive chrome grill that became a signature design element for the entire brand.”

Synonyms

03teeth jewelry

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Slang · Informal

n. a piece of jewelry, often made of gold or silver, worn over the teeth.

n. a type of decorative dental jewelry, typically removable, worn over the front teeth.

“The rapper showed off his new diamond-encrusted grill in the music video.”

“While popular in certain hip-hop subcultures, wearing a heavy gold grill for extended periods can lead to dental hygiene issues.”

Teaching tip

Often spelled 'grillz' in pop culture contexts.

Synonyms

04to cook

A2 · Elementary Cooking

v. to cook food on a metal frame over or under very strong heat.

v. to cook food by exposure to direct, intense radiant heat.

“We decided to grill some fish for dinner instead of frying it.”

“The recipe suggests you grill the peaches for two minutes on each side until they develop clear char marks and a smoky flavour.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

05to question intensely

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

v. to ask someone many difficult questions for a long time to find out the truth.

v. to subject someone to intense, persistent, and often aggressive questioning.

“My parents grilled me about where I had been all night.”

“The detectives grilled the suspect for six hours, hoping to find inconsistencies in his alibi before the formal charges were filed.”

Synonyms

interrogatecross-examinepump

Etymology

1655, from French gril, from Middle French gril, from Old French greïl, graïl (“gridiron”), from graïlle (“grate, grating”), from Latin crātīcula (“gridiron”), diminutive of crātis (“hurdle, wickerwork”), q.v. Related to griddle, hurdle.

From Middle English grillen (“to anger, provoke”), from Old English grillan, griellan (“to annoy, vex, offend”), from Proto-West Germanic *gralljan (“to shout, make angry”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian grulje (“to make angry”), Dutch grillen (“to shudder, shiver”), Low German vergrellen (“to anger, provoke”), German grollen (“to rumble”) and perhaps also with French grouiller (“to swarm”).

From Middle English gril, grille (“harsh, rough, severe”), from Old English grielle, from Proto-West Germanic grallī (“angry”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰer- (“to rattle, make a noise, grumble”). Cognate with German grell (“harsh, angry”), Danish grel (“shrill, glaring, dazzling”).

From Middle English grille, from Old English grylla, griella, from Proto-West Germanic *gralljō.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

grill(A2)

Related words

Idioms

Domain

Cooking

This entry

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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Frequent
Level
A2 · Elementary
Updated

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