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grill

n. · v.
US //ˈɡɹɪɫ// UK //ɡɹˈɪl// grill
  1. 1 cooking equipment (n.)
    A2 Elementary Cooking

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    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.
  2. 2 car part (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The luxury sedan featured a distinctive chrome grill that became a signature design element for the entire brand.
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  1. 3 teeth jewelry (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

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

    Teacher's tip

    Often spelled 'grillz' in pop culture contexts.
  2. 4 to cook (v.)
    A2 Elementary Cooking

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The recipe suggests you grill the peaches for two minutes on each side until they develop clear char marks and a smoky flavour.
  3. 5 to question intensely (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The detectives grilled the suspect for six hours, hoping to find inconsistencies in his alibi before the formal charges were filed.
Etymology 1

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.

Etymology 2

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”).

Etymology 3

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”).

Etymology 4

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

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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