fridge
frihj
Fridge (noun) means an appliance used to keep food and drink cold. Example: “There was nothing in the fridge except half a lemon and some butter.”
noun
1
An appliance used to keep food and drink cold.
"There was nothing in the fridge except half a lemon and some butter."
"We bought a bigger fridge when the family grew."
"Put the milk back in the fridge."
verb
1
To put something in a refrigerator to keep it cold.
"You should fridge the cream as soon as you get home."
"I always fridge my sandwiches at work so they stay fresh."
"Fridge the leftovers before they spoil."
How to use fridge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe everyday, informal word for a refrigerator.
When to use it
Informal; "refrigerator" is the more formal term.
Common pairings
fridge freezer
in the fridge
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Word forms
- Plural
- fridges
- Third person singular
- fridges
- Past tense
- fridged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was nothing in the _____ except half a lemon and some butter.
Etymology
A shortened form of "refrigerator," possibly influenced by the Frigidaire brand name.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for fridge
See all rhymes for 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.
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