Word
poach
US/ˈpoʊtʃ/
UK/pˈəʊtʃ/
Definition
v. to cook food gently in a liquid that is just below boiling, or to hunt animals illegally on someone else's land. You can also use it when a company takes a talented worker from another business.
v. to cook food submerged in a liquid kept just below the boiling point; to hunt or fish illegally on private or protected land. In a business context, it describes the act of enticing employees or customers away from a competitor.
Examples
“She likes to poach eggs for breakfast every Sunday.”
“The restaurant was caught trying to poach the head chef from their main rival across the street.”
“While the chef was busy learning how to poach salmon in white wine, the local authorities were investigating reports of individuals trying to poach deer from the national park.”
Examples
simple
“She likes to poach eggs for breakfast every Sunday.”
contextual
“The restaurant was caught trying to poach the head chef from their main rival across the street.”
complex
“While the chef was busy learning how to poach salmon in white wine, the local authorities were investigating reports of individuals trying to poach deer from the national park.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “poach” in context.
Verb
01. poach from
“The tech giant managed to poach several engineers from its main rival.”
verb + prep
Noun
02. poach egg
“The chef showed us how to poach an egg perfectly in simmering water.”
verb + noun
03. poach elephant
“Hunters continue to poach elephants for their ivory tusks despite the ban.”
verb + noun
04. poach salmon
“It is best to poach salmon in a light broth to keep the fish moist.”
verb + noun
05. poach staff
“Competitors are trying to poach staff by offering higher salaries.”
verb + noun
06. poach talent
“Startups often poach talent from established firms to accelerate growth.”
verb + noun
07. illegally poach wildlife
“Strict laws were introduced to stop groups who illegally poach wildlife.”
08. poach in white wine
“The pears were gently poached in white wine and cinnamon.”
09. poach someone from a rival
“They managed to poach the lead designer from a rival agency.”
Usage
The verb is transitive when referring to cooking or illegal hunting; it can be intransitive when referring to the general activity of illegal hunting.
Pitfall
he poached for the eggs
he poached the eggs
When used for cooking, poach is a transitive verb and does not require a preposition before the object.
Real-World Examples
“While you can—and should—poach any part of the bird, we find that the gentle, wet cooking method works particularly well for breasts, so that's what this recipe focuses on.” “Versatile poached chicken breasts can add lean protein to many meals, including a Caprese salad.” “Remove the pan from the heat and scoop out the chicken breasts from the poaching liquid.” “A chicken poached in a tarragon-infused broth at 180 degrees emerges in a heightened state of juicy tenderness.” Etymology
From Middle English pochen (“to poach (eggs)”), from Old French pocher "to put (egg yolks) in pockets" (i.e. in bags formed by the whites), from Old French poche (“pocket”).
From Old French pocher, pochier (“to trample, poach into”). Doublet of poke.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domains
- 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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