verb
marinate
MA-rih-nayt
Marinate (verb) means to soak food in a seasoned liquid before cooking, to add flavour or tenderize it. Example: “Marinate the tofu in soy sauce and sesame oil for an hour.”
verb
1
To soak food in a seasoned liquid before cooking, to add flavour or tenderize it.
"Marinate the tofu in soy sauce and sesame oil for an hour."
"The chef let the beef marinate overnight in the fridge."
2
Figuratively, to let an idea or feeling sit and develop in one's mind over time.
"I let the idea marinate for a few days before pitching it."
How to use marinate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo soak food in a flavoured liquid before cooking, or (informally) to let an idea sit and develop.
Common pairings
marinate the chicken
marinate overnight
let it marinate
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- marinates
- Past tense
- marinated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ the tofu in soy sauce and sesame oil for an hour.
Etymology
From Italian marinare, "to pickle," ultimately from Latin marinus ("of the sea"), because early recipes used seawater or brine.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for marinate
See all rhymes for marinate →Frequently asked questions
What does “marinate” mean?
The word “marinate” means to soak food in a seasoned liquid before cooking, to add flavour or tenderize it. In plain terms, to soak food in a flavoured liquid before cooking, or (informally) to let an idea sit and develop.
How do you pronounce “marinate”?
“Marinate” is pronounced MA-rih-nayt (/ˈmæɹɪneɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “marinate” in a sentence?
Here is “marinate” used in a sentence: “Marinate the tofu in soy sauce and sesame oil for an hour.”
What part of speech is “marinate”?
“Marinate” is a verb.
Where does the word “marinate” come from?
The word “marinate” comes from Latin. From Italian marinare, "to pickle," ultimately from Latin marinus ("of the sea"), because early recipes used seawater or brine.
How many meanings does “marinate” have?
“Marinate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to soak food in a seasoned liquid before cooking, to add flavour or tenderize it.
