garlic
GAH-lihk
Garlic (noun) means a plant related to the onion, grown for its strong-smelling, pungent bulb used widely in cooking. Example: “Roast the whole bulb of garlic until it turns soft and sweet.”
noun
1
A plant related to the onion, grown for its strong-smelling, pungent bulb used widely in cooking.
"Roast the whole bulb of garlic until it turns soft and sweet."
"Add two crushed cloves of garlic to the pan."
"Her breath smelled of garlic after lunch."
How to use garlic
Learner’s notes
Common pairings
clove of garlic
garlic bread
crushed garlic
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Word forms
- Plural
- garlics
- Third person singular
- garlics
- Past tense
- garlicked
Fill the gap
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Roast the whole bulb of _____ until it turns soft and sweet.
Etymology
From Old English gārlēac, literally "spear-leek" — a reference to the plant's sharp, pointed leaves.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “garlic” mean?
The word “garlic” means a plant related to the onion, grown for its strong-smelling, pungent bulb used widely in cooking.
How do you pronounce “garlic”?
“Garlic” is pronounced GAH-lihk (/ˈɡɑɹlɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “garlic” in a sentence?
Here is “garlic” used in a sentence: “Add two crushed cloves of garlic to the pan.”
What part of speech is “garlic”?
“Garlic” is a noun.
Where does the word “garlic” come from?
The word “garlic” comes from Old English. From Old English gārlēac, literally "spear-leek" — a reference to the plant's sharp, pointed leaves.
Is “garlic” a common word?
“Garlic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between garlic and a shallot?
Both belong to the onion family, but garlic grows as a bulb divided into small segments called cloves and has a strong, pungent flavour, while a shallot looks like a small onion and tastes milder and sweeter. They are used differently in cooking as a result.
What is the difference between a clove and a bulb of garlic?
A whole head of garlic is called a bulb, and each of the small individual segments inside it is called a clove. A recipe that calls for a clove of garlic means one segment, not the entire bulb.
What is the difference between garlic and onion?
Garlic and onion are related plants, but garlic has a much stronger, more pungent flavour and grows as a cluster of small cloves, while an onion is a single larger bulb with a milder taste. Recipes usually call for them in different quantities.
What can you use as a substitute for garlic?
Common substitutes for fresh garlic include garlic powder, granulated garlic, or garlic paste, used in smaller amounts because they are more concentrated. Related plants such as shallots or a little onion can also stand in when needed.
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