What is grill? Pronunciation and usage in English

grill means . Learn how to pronounce and use grill through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of grill

grillnoun

/ɡrɪl/
Definition & pronunciation of grill

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "grill" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations, and they both sound pretty different!

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈɡrɪl/ (rhymes with "fill")
  • Breakdown:
    • "Gr" sounds like the "g" in "go."
    • "ill" sounds like "ill" as in "illness."
  • Overall: It's a short, quick "grill" sound, almost like you're saying "grill" and then quickly dropping off the end.

2. The British English Pronunciation:

  • Pronunciation: /drɪl/ (rhymes with "tile")
  • Breakdown:
    • "dr" sounds like the "dr" in "dream."
    • "ill" sounds like "ill" as in "illness."
  • Overall: This pronunciation is more like saying "drill."

Which one should you use?

  • If you're speaking American English, use the /ˈɡrɪl/ pronunciation. It's the far more common one.
  • If you're speaking British English, use the /drɪl/ pronunciation.

Resources for Listening:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from (roughly - like, American, British, etc.)?

Usage and examples with the word grill in English

Let's break down how to use the word "grill" in English. It has several different meanings, so it's important to understand the context. Here's a breakdown of the main ways it's used, with examples:

1. As a Verb - To Question or Probe (Most Common)

  • Meaning: To ask a series of insistent or critical questions, usually to test someone's knowledge, intentions, or explanation. It often implies a feeling of pressure or scrutiny.
  • Synonyms: interrogate, question intensely, press, probe.
  • Examples:
    • "The journalist spent the entire interview grilling the CEO about the company's financial troubles."
    • "I was grilled by my boss about why I missed the deadline."
    • "Don't grill me on this – just trust me!"
    • "He grilled her about the details of her alibi."

2. As a Verb – To Cook on a Grill

  • Meaning: To cook food (typically meat, vegetables, or fish) over direct heat from a grill.
  • Synonyms: barbecue, broil, sear.
  • Examples:
    • “We’re grilling burgers and hot dogs for the barbecue.”
    • “I love grilling corn on the cob.”
    • “The steak was perfectly grilled with a beautiful sear.”

3. As a Noun - A Device for Grilling Food

  • Meaning: The apparatus used for grilling food – a metal frame with bars over a heat source.
  • Examples:
    • "He brought his own grill to the park."
    • “We set up the grill and started preparing dinner.”

4. As a Noun - (Less Common) A Heated Discussion/Debate

  • Meaning: A vigorous and sometimes hostile discussion, particularly one where opposing viewpoints are presented. This usage is less common and more figurative.
  • Example: "The committee grilled the candidate during the hearing." (Here, “grilled” means they intensely questioned him).

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To question intensely "I was grilled about my qualifications.”
Verb To cook on a grill "We grilled the chicken for dinner."
Noun The grilling device “He brought his grill to the beach.”
Noun A heated discussion/debate (Figurative) “The debate was grilled and argued over.”

Tips for Using "Grill" Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay close attention to the surrounding words to determine the meaning.
  • Figurative vs. Literal: Be aware that “grill” can be used literally (cooking) or figuratively (questioning).
  • Tone: The verb “to grill” often carries a slightly negative connotation – it suggests a demanding or critical questioning.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of a specific usage?
  • Compare "grill" to similar words (e.g., "question," "scold")?

Synonyms for the word grill

Practice with vocabulary grill

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The chef decided to ______ the chicken breasts to achieve a smoky flavor and tender texture.
  2. During the cross-examination, the prosecutor continued to ______ the witness about the inconsistencies in their testimony.
  3. For our annual company picnic, we plan to ______ a whole pig over an open fire, a tradition we started years ago.
  4. The investigative journalist sought to ______ key details from the elusive politician regarding the scandal.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following methods would you use to cook a steak quickly while giving it distinct char marks? a) Braise b) Simmer c) Grill d) Roast

  2. When a manager wants to intensely question an employee about a serious breach of company policy, they might: a) Inquire b) Debrief c) Scrutinize d) Grill

  3. Which of these words can refer to a cooking appliance that uses direct heat? a) Oven b) Griddle c) Grill d) Toaster

  4. Before serving, the chef decided to briefly ______ the asparagus in boiling water to retain its crispness and bright green color. a) Blanch b) Sauté c) Fry d) Broil

  5. Which of these verbs best describes the act of carefully examining documents or evidence for accuracy and potential flaws? a) Review b) Inspect c) Question d) Interrogate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The manager subjected the new intern to a long and detailed questioning session about their previous work experience. (Rewrite using a form of "grill")

  2. For the summer party, we plan to cook various meats and vegetables outdoors over an open flame. (Rewrite using a form of "grill")

  3. The investigative team wanted to obtain information from the suspects regarding their alibis. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "grill")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. grill
  2. grill
  3. roast
  4. elicit

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Grill
  2. d) Grill
  3. b) Griddle, c) Grill
  4. a) Blanch
  5. a) Review, b) Inspect

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The manager grilled the new intern about their previous work experience.
  2. For the summer party, we plan to grill various meats and vegetables outdoors.
  3. The investigative team wanted to question the suspects regarding their alibis.

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