fridge
4 synonyms for fridge, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An appliance used to keep food and drink cold.
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 fridge
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fridge freezer
in the fridge
Informal; "refrigerator" is the more formal term.
Etymology
A shortened form of "refrigerator," possibly influenced by the Frigidaire brand name.
Full origin of fridge →Frequently asked questions
What does “fridge” mean?
The word “fridge” means an appliance used to keep food and drink cold. In plain terms, the everyday, informal word for a refrigerator.
How do you pronounce “fridge”?
“Fridge” is pronounced frihj (/fɹɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fridge” in a sentence?
Here is “fridge” used in a sentence: “Put the milk back in the fridge.”
What part of speech is “fridge”?
Depending on how it is used, “fridge” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “fridge” a common word?
“Fridge” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “fridge” have?
“Fridge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an appliance used to keep food and drink cold.
What is the difference between fridge and refrigerator?
A fridge and a refrigerator are the same appliance; fridge is simply the informal, shortened form of refrigerator. Refrigerator is the safer choice in formal or technical writing, while fridge dominates everyday speech.
Why is fridge spelled with a d when refrigerator has none?
The d was added so the shortened word would follow the normal English spelling pattern for that sound, as in bridge and ridge. Without the d, the spelling would not clearly signal the soft j sound at the end of the word.
Is fridge acceptable in formal writing?
Fridge is informal, so refrigerator is generally preferred in formal documents, product manuals, and academic writing. In emails, journalism, and everyday conversation, fridge is fully acceptable and far more common.
Can fridge be used as a verb?
Yes, informally you can fridge something, meaning to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold, as in "fridge the leftovers before bed." The verb is casual and best kept to speech and informal writing.
