barbecue
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for barbecue, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A grill or fireplace used for cooking food, usually outdoors over hot coals or gas flame.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use barbecue
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Spanish barbacoa, from Taíno barbakoa, meaning a raised wooden framework the Taíno people used for sleeping or curing meat.
Full origin of barbecue →Frequently asked questions
What does “barbecue” mean?
The word “barbecue” means a grill or fireplace used for cooking food, usually outdoors over hot coals or gas flame. In plain terms, cooking food outdoors over fire or coals, the grill used to do it, or the social gathering built around it.
How do you pronounce “barbecue”?
“Barbecue” is pronounced BAH-bih-kyoo (/ˈbɑɹbɪˌkju/ in IPA).
How do you use “barbecue” in a sentence?
Here is “barbecue” used in a sentence: “He fired up the barbecue for the family gathering.”
What part of speech is “barbecue”?
Depending on how it is used, “barbecue” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “barbecue” come from?
The word “barbecue” comes from Spanish. From Spanish barbacoa, from Taíno barbakoa, meaning a raised wooden framework the Taíno people used for sleeping or curing meat.
Is “barbecue” a common word?
“Barbecue” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “barbecue” have?
“Barbecue” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a grill or fireplace used for cooking food, usually outdoors over hot coals or gas flame.
What is the difference between barbecuing and grilling?
Barbecuing generally refers to cooking food over an open flame or hot coals, often with a smoky flavor, and can include slower cooking methods, while grilling typically implies quicker cooking directly over high heat. In casual use, however, the two terms are frequently used interchangeably for outdoor cooking.
Is 'barbecue' spelled 'BBQ' or 'barbeque'?
'Barbecue' is the standard spelling, while 'BBQ' is a common informal abbreviation used in casual writing, signage, and menus. 'Barbeque' is a widely used alternative spelling but is considered nonstandard compared to 'barbecue'.
What is the difference between a barbecue as an event and a barbecue as equipment?
A barbecue can refer to the grill or fireplace itself used for cooking outdoors, or to the social event centered on food cooked outdoors, such as 'we're having a barbecue this weekend.' Context usually makes clear whether the word refers to the equipment or the gathering.