verb
marinate
MA-rih-nayt
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
Word Forms
marinated past tense, marinates singular
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_____ 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.