Word
marinate
Phoneticsmar·i·nate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmɛɹəˌneɪt/
UK/mˈæɹɪnˌeɪt/
Definition
v. to soak food in a tasty liquid for a while to add flavour and make it soft. You leave meat or vegetables in the liquid for some time before you cook them.
v. to soak food in a seasoned liquid for a period before cooking in order to add flavour and soften its texture.
Examples
“She marinates the chicken in lemon and garlic.”
“He marinates the beef overnight so the spices soak in before tomorrow's barbecue.”
“After the chef marinates the lamb in red wine and rosemary for twelve hours, the meat becomes remarkably tender.”
Examples
simple
“She marinates the chicken in lemon and garlic.”
contextual
“He marinates the beef overnight so the spices soak in before tomorrow's barbecue.”
complex
“After the chef marinates the lamb in red wine and rosemary for twelve hours, the meat becomes remarkably tender.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “marinate” in context.
Verb
01. allow to marinate
“Allow the tofu to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.”
verb + prep + verb
02. leave to marinate
“Leave the pork to marinate for two hours before grilling.”
verb + prep + verb
03. marinate chicken
“I always marinate chicken in garlic and lemon before roasting.”
verb + noun
04. marinate fish
“Marinate fish for 20 minutes to add flavour without cooking it.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. marinate briefly
“Marinate the fish briefly so the lemon does not overpower it.”
verb + adv
Noun
06. marinate in oil
“Marinate the peppers in olive oil and garlic for an hour.”
verb + prep + noun
07. marinate in vinegar
“Marinate the onions in vinegar to soften their sharp taste.”
verb + prep + noun
08. marinate in wine
“Marinate the beef in red wine with onions and thyme.”
verb + prep + noun
09. leave to marinate overnight
“Cover the bowl and leave to marinate overnight in the fridge.”
10. marinate before cooking
“Always marinate the meat before cooking to add extra flavour.”
11. marinate for two hours
“Marinate the lamb for two hours before you put it on the barbecue.”
12. marinate in soy sauce
“Marinate the steak in soy sauce with ginger and garlic.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; often followed by 'in' for the liquid and 'for' for the time.
Real-World Examples
“It comes from the region of Castilla-La Mancha and is usually cooked quickly and then pickled or marinated with vinegar and spices.” “Meat in particular benefits from a longer marinate time, while sugary glazes are best added just before or during cooking as these can burn quickly over the high heat.” “The recipe, borrowed from oyster-farming communities near the Mediterranean, sees them marinated with herbs, onions, white wine and olive oil and then cooked on a griddle over a fire.” “Order the crispy dojo karaage or the tangy nanbanzuke , a local favourite marinated in vinegar.” Etymology
First attested in 1645; adapted from either French mariner or the earlier attested Italian marinare (“to pickle, marinate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from Late Latin marina (“brine, salt water”), short for aqua marina (“sea water”), from Latin marinus (“marine, of the sea”), from Latin mare (“the sea”) from Proto-Indo-European *móri (“the sea”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domain
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
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