# smother

/ˈsməðɝ/ (US) · /smˈʌðɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/smother
Updated: 2026-05-29

## Definition

to cover something completely with a thick layer of something else, like soil or a liquid. In cooking, it often means putting a lid on a pot to finish cooking food slowly.

For teachers: to cover something completely or to cook food in a covered vessel with a small amount of liquid. Often used in the context of culinary preparation to describe the final stage of a dish.

## Examples

- The chef smothered the vegetables in a thick sauce.
- After searing the meat, the cook smothered it in a rich mushroom broth to finish the dish.
- The traditional recipe requires that the fish be smothered in a garlic and herb paste before being sealed in a clay pot to ensure it remains moist and tender.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.