verb
roast
rohst
verb
1
To cook food, uncovered, with dry heat in an oven or over a fire, giving it a browned or crisped surface.
"She roasted the chicken with rosemary and lemon."
"They roasted chestnuts over the open fire."
2
To make fun of someone harshly, often as a form of affectionate ribbing or comedy.
"His friends roasted him mercilessly at his own birthday party."
noun
1
A cut of meat cooked by roasting, or a meal built around it.
"Sunday roast is a tradition in their house."
2
A comedy event where a person is jokingly mocked and insulted by friends or colleagues.
"The retiring coach was the guest of honor at his own roast."
How to Use Roast
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo cook with dry heat, or to playfully mock someone in front of an audience.
Common pairings
roast a chicken
get roasted
Sunday roast
comedy roast
Word Forms
roasted past tense, roasts plural, roasts singular
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Etymology
From Old French rostir, "to roast or torture with fire," ultimately from a Germanic root — the comedic "roast" sense grew out of the idea of someone being figuratively "grilled."