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roast
/roʊst/
to cook food by exposing it to dry heat
She roasted the vegetables in the oven until golden brown.
She cooked the vegetables in the oven using dry heat until they turned golden brown.
formalinformal
to cook food by exposing it to dry heat, such as in an oven or over a fire
He roasted the chicken until the skin was crispy.
He cooked the chicken in the oven until the skin became crispy.
Can also refer to cooking meat or vegetables over an open flame or grill.
informalslang
to criticize someone or something harshly and publicly
The comedian roasted the politician during his stand-up routine.
The comedian harshly criticized the politician in a humorous way during his performance.
Often used in a humorous or lighthearted context.
informal
a meal or gathering where food is cooked and served outdoors, often over a fire
We had a roast by the lake last weekend.
We had an outdoor meal where we cooked food over a fire by the lake last weekend.
Commonly associated with barbecues or campfire cooking.
Collocations
roast coffeecoffee beans that have been roastedroast dinnera traditional meal featuring roasted meat and vegetablesroast someoneto humorously criticize someone
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Cooking Context
When referring to cooking, 'roast' typically involves dry heat, such as in an oven or over a fire.
Humorous Context
In a humorous context, 'roast' means to tease or criticize someone in a lighthearted way.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
Always consider the context when using 'roast' to ensure the correct meaning is conveyed.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'rosten', from Old English 'rāstan', meaning to roast or toast.
Usage Notes
The word 'roast' can have different meanings depending on the context. It can refer to cooking food with dry heat or to humorously criticizing someone.
Word Breakdown
roast
to cook with dry heat or to criticize humorously
rootEnglish Dictionary