noun
Uncommon
barbie
bah-bee
Barbie (noun) means informal Australian/British term for a barbecue, either the grill or the event. Example: “Chuck another sausage on the barbie, mate.”
noun
1
Informal Australian/British term for a barbecue, either the grill or the event.
"Chuck another sausage on the barbie, mate."
name
1
A brand of tall, slim fashion doll made by Mattel, and informally, someone (or something) resembling that doll's idealized look.
"She dressed up as Barbie for the costume party."
How to use barbie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInformal slang for a barbecue in Australian/British English; also the famous doll brand.
UK vs US
"Barbie" for a barbecue is chiefly Australian and British slang, rarely used this way in American English.
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Word forms
- Plural
- barbies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Chuck another sausage on the _____, mate.
Etymology
The "barbecue" sense is simply a clipped, informal form of that word with the "-ie" diminutive ending. The doll is an unrelated trademark, a pet form of Barbara.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for barbie
See all rhymes for barbie →Frequently asked questions
What does “barbie” mean?
The word “barbie” means informal Australian/British term for a barbecue, either the grill or the event. In plain terms, informal slang for a barbecue in Australian/British English; also the famous doll brand.
How do you pronounce “barbie”?
“Barbie” is pronounced bah-bee (/bɑː(ɹ)bi/ in IPA).
How do you use “barbie” in a sentence?
Here is “barbie” used in a sentence: “Chuck another sausage on the barbie, mate.”
What part of speech is “barbie”?
Depending on how it is used, “barbie” can be a noun and a name.
Is “barbie” a common word?
“Barbie” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “barbie” have?
“Barbie” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal Australian/British term for a barbecue, either the grill or the event.
What is the difference between a 'barbie' and a 'barbecue'?
'Barbie' is an informal Australian and British shortening of 'barbecue,' referring to either the grill or the social event. It carries the same meaning as 'barbecue' but is used in more casual, colloquial speech.
Is 'barbie' Australian or British slang?
'Barbie' is informal slang used in both Australian and British English to mean a barbecue, whether the grill itself or the gathering around it. It is especially associated with casual, everyday Australian speech.
Is 'Barbie' always capitalized when referring to the doll?
Yes, when referring to the Mattel fashion doll brand, 'Barbie' is capitalized as a proper noun. When used informally and lowercase as slang for a barbecue, it is a completely different, unrelated meaning.
