# grill

/ˈɡɹɪɫ/ (US) · /ɡɹˈɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grill
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. cooking equipment

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. car part

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. teeth jewelry

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to cook

verb · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to question intensely

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Put the chicken on the grill when the coals are hot.
- We spent the entire afternoon cleaning the grill to prepare for the family barbecue this weekend.
- While professional chefs often prefer charcoal for the smoky flavor it imparts, many home cooks choose gas grills for their convenience and precise temperature control.

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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.