oatmeal
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a hot breakfast dish made by boiling oats in water or milk.
n.a porridge prepared from ground, steel-cut, or rolled oats. Uncountable in this sense.
Simple“He eats a warm bowl of oatmeal with honey every morning before work.”
In context“The nutritionist recommended steel-cut oatmeal for breakfast due to its lower glycemic index compared to highly processed instant varieties.”
UsageCommonly referred to as 'porridge' in British English.
Synonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
n.oats that have been crushed or rolled into a powder or flakes.
n.meal made from rolled or ground oats, used as an ingredient in baking or as a base for cereal.
Simple“The recipe for these cookies requires two cups of dry oatmeal.”
In context“The bakery sources organic oatmeal to produce their signature hearty loaves, ensuring a distinct texture and nutty flavour profile.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.a light brownish-grey colour, similar to the look of cooked oats.
n.a light greyish-brown colour, typically used to describe textiles or interior design elements.
Simple“She chose a sofa in oatmeal to match the neutral walls of her living room.”
In context“The interior designer suggested a palette of oatmeal and soft charcoal to create a sophisticated, muted atmosphere in the master suite.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
adj.having a light brownish-grey colour.
adj.denoting a light greyish-brown colour, often with a speckled or textured appearance in fabrics.
Simple“He wore an oatmeal sweater that looked very comfortable and warm.”
In context“The collection featured several oatmeal linen blazers, designed to be breathable yet professional for summer business attire.”
From Middle English otemele, from ote (“oat”) + mele (“meal, coarse-ground grains”). Equivalent to oat + meal.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.