cooking
KUU-kihng
Cooking (noun) means the activity or process of preparing food by heating it. Example: “Cooking dinner for eight people takes some planning.”
noun
1
The activity or process of preparing food by heating it.
"Cooking dinner for eight people takes some planning."
"He took up cooking as a hobby during lockdown."
"Cooking with fresh herbs makes even a simple pasta taste wonderful."
2
A particular style or standard of food preparation.
"Her cooking is famous in the neighborhood."
"Traditional Italian cooking relies on a few simple ingredients of good quality."
"The restaurant is known for its honest, home-style cooking."
adjective
1
Suitable for use in preparing food rather than for eating or drinking on its own.
"Use cooking wine, not the good bottle, for the sauce."
"The recipe calls for cooking chocolate rather than a chocolate bar."
"Cooking apples are too sour to eat raw, but they bake beautifully."
How to use cooking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of making food with heat, or (as an adjective) an ingredient meant only for use in recipes.
Common pairings
home cooking
cooking oil
cooking wine
do the cooking
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Word forms
- Plural
- cookings
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_____ dinner for eight people takes some planning.
Etymology
Formed from cook plus the ending -ing, used both as the ordinary noun for the activity and as an adjective for ingredients meant for the kitchen rather than the table.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for cooking
See all rhymes for cooking →Frequently asked questions
What does “cooking” mean?
The word “cooking” means the activity or process of preparing food by heating it. In plain terms, the act of making food with heat, or (as an adjective) an ingredient meant only for use in recipes.
How do you pronounce “cooking”?
“Cooking” is pronounced KUU-kihng (/ˈkʊkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cooking” in a sentence?
Here is “cooking” used in a sentence: “Cooking dinner for eight people takes some planning.”
What part of speech is “cooking”?
Depending on how it is used, “cooking” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “cooking” a common word?
“Cooking” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “cooking” have?
“Cooking” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the activity or process of preparing food by heating it.
What is the difference between cooking and baking?
Baking is one type of cooking. Cooking is the broad activity of preparing food with heat by any method, from frying and boiling to grilling and roasting. Baking specifically uses the dry, surrounding heat of an oven, usually for breads, cakes, and pastries, and tends to demand precise measurements because it relies on chemistry to work.
What are the main methods of cooking?
Cooking methods fall into a few families. Dry-heat methods include roasting, baking, grilling, and frying. Moist-heat methods include boiling, steaming, poaching, and simmering. Some techniques, like braising, combine both. Each method changes a food's texture and flavour differently, which is why the same ingredient can taste worlds apart depending on how it's cooked.
Can cooking be learned?
Absolutely. Cooking is a practical skill that anyone can build with practice, not a talent you're born with. Start with a few simple recipes, learn the basic methods, and get comfortable with heat, timing, and seasoning. Mistakes are part of the process, and most cooks improve quickly once they cook regularly.
Why is cooking food important?
Cooking does more than improve taste. Heat kills harmful bacteria and parasites, making many foods safe to eat, and it breaks down tough fibres so nutrients are easier to digest and absorb. Cooking also unlocks flavour and aroma, and it sits at the heart of culture, tradition, and gathering people together.
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