ENGLISH
REFERENCE

porridge

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈpɔɹədʒ// UK //pˈɒɹɪdʒ// por·ridge Archaic Slang

n. a warm breakfast dish made by boiling oats in water or milk until they are soft and thick.

n. a dish consisting of oatmeal or another cereal boiled in water or milk to a thick, creamy consistency.


SIMPLE

I eat a bowl of hot porridge every morning.

CONTEXTUAL

The hikers prepared a large pot of porridge over the campfire to fuel their long journey.

COMPLEX

While traditionally associated with Scottish cuisine, various forms of porridge serve as a nutritional staple across many cultures, often topped with seasonal fruits, nuts, or honey.

Origin

Variant of pottage (“thick soup or stew”), influenced by porray (“stew of leeks”). The "prison sentence" sense comes from the British tradition of serving prisoners porridge for breakfast.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the food substance; countable when referring to a specific serving or variety.

Idioms1 entry

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