What does "potato" mean?

1. (the vegetable) a round, starchy vegetable with white or yellow flesh and brown, red, or pink skin. 2. (low-quality technology) a humorous way to describe a very old or bad piece of technology, like a camera. 3. (a hole in a sock) a large, noticeable hole in the heel or toe of a sock. 4. (to hit hard) to hit someone or something very hard. 5. (engine sound) a word used to copy the sound of a heavy motorcycle engine.

How do you use "potato"?

Often repeated as 'potato-potato-potato' to mimic the idle sound.

Is it correct to say "I bought three potatos."?

No — say "I bought three potatoes.". The plural of potato requires an 'e' before the 's'.

potato

n. · v. · interj.

US //pəˈteɪˌtoʊ// UK //pətˈeɪtəʊ// pota·to

1 the vegetable (n.)
A1 Beginner Cooking

a round, starchy vegetable with white or yellow flesh and brown, red, or pink skin.

the edible starchy tuber of the plant Solanum tuberosum, a staple crop in many global cuisines.

Example

She peeled the potatoes and boiled them for the mashed potato dish.

Example

The chef recommended roasting the potatoes with rosemary and garlic to complement the earthy flavour of the main course.
- spud
- tuber
Pitfall

I bought three potatos.

I bought three potatoes.

The plural of potato requires an 'e' before the 's'.
2 low-quality technology (n.)
C1 Advanced Informal Humorous Slang Computing

a humorous way to describe a very old or bad piece of technology, like a camera.

a metaphorical term for a device, particularly a camera or computer, with extremely poor performance or resolution.

Example

The video is so blurry it looks like it was filmed with a potato.

Example

I tried to run the latest game on my old laptop, but the hardware is basically a potato and it crashed immediately.
- junk
- brick

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3 a hole in a sock (n.)
C2 Proficiency British English Informal

a large, noticeable hole in the heel or toe of a sock.

a conspicuous hole in a sock or stocking, typically caused by wear at the heel or toe.

Example

He was embarrassed to take off his shoes because he had a potato in his sock.

Example

Despite her elegant outfit, a large potato in her stocking ruined the overall effect when she sat down.
- hole
- tear
4 to hit hard (v.)
C2 Proficiency Slang

to hit someone or something very hard.

to strike with significant force; to pummel or hit repeatedly.

Example

The boxer managed to potato his opponent in the final round.

Example

The protagonist in the action movie proceeded to potato the villain until the guards intervened.
- pummel
- clobber
5 engine sound (interj.)
C2 Proficiency Informal American English

a word used to copy the sound of a heavy motorcycle engine.

an onomatopoeic representation of the rhythmic, low-frequency exhaust note produced by a V-twin engine.

Example

The Harley-Davidson went potato-potato-potato as it waited at the red light.

Example

Enthusiasts often modify their exhaust systems to amplify the distinctive potato-potato cadence of the idling engine.

Usage

Often repeated as 'potato-potato-potato' to mimic the idle sound.

Origin

Borrowed from Spanish patata, itself borrowed from Taíno batata (“sweet potato”).

Idioms3 entries