rice
rys
Rice (noun) means a cereal grass grown widely in flooded paddies, or the starchy seeds it produces that are eaten as a staple food. Example: “We had steamed rice with the curry.”
noun
1
A cereal grass grown widely in flooded paddies, or the starchy seeds it produces that are eaten as a staple food.
"We had steamed rice with the curry."
"Rice is the staple food for more than half the world's population."
"I always rinse the rice before putting it in the pan."
verb
1
To press soft food such as potatoes through a ricer, breaking it into small rice-sized pieces.
"Rice the potatoes before folding in the butter and cream."
"If you rice the cooked carrots, the soup will be very smooth."
"She riced the boiled potatoes and mixed them with a little milk."
How to use rice
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe grain eaten around the world as a staple, or (as a verb) to mash food into rice-sized bits with a ricer.
Common pairings
steamed rice
rice paddy
rice and beans
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Word forms
- Plural
- rices
- Third person singular
- rices
- Past tense
- riced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We had steamed _____ with the curry.
Etymology
From Old French ris, ultimately traced back through Greek and Persian to an Eastern language, possibly Sanskrit or an early Dravidian source — reflecting how far the crop travelled before reaching English.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for rice
See all rhymes for rice →Frequently asked questions
What does “rice” mean?
The word “rice” means a cereal grass grown widely in flooded paddies, or the starchy seeds it produces that are eaten as a staple food. In plain terms, the grain eaten around the world as a staple, or (as a verb) to mash food into rice-sized bits with a ricer.
How do you pronounce “rice”?
“Rice” is pronounced rys (/ɹaɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “rice” in a sentence?
Here is “rice” used in a sentence: “We had steamed rice with the curry.”
What part of speech is “rice”?
Depending on how it is used, “rice” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rice” come from?
The word “rice” comes from Old French. From Old French ris, ultimately traced back through Greek and Persian to an Eastern language, possibly Sanskrit or an early Dravidian source — reflecting how far the crop travelled before reaching English.
Is “rice” a common word?
“Rice” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “rice” have?
“Rice” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a cereal grass grown widely in flooded paddies, or the starchy seeds it produces that are eaten as a staple food.
What are the types of rice?
Rice is grouped by grain length and processing. Long-grain varieties include basmati and jasmine; medium and short-grain types include arborio and sushi rice, each cooking to a different texture. Brown rice keeps its bran layer, while white rice is polished. There are also specialty kinds such as wild and red rice.
Where is rice grown?
Rice is grown across warm, wet regions of the world, most heavily in Asia — including China, India, and Southeast Asia — where it is a dietary staple. It is typically cultivated in flooded fields called paddies, which suit the plant's need for water. It also grows in parts of Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
Is rice healthy?
Rice is a useful source of energy from carbohydrates and is naturally gluten-free. Brown and whole grain rice keep more fiber and nutrients than polished white rice. As with any staple, portion size and what it is served with matter most. It can sit comfortably within a balanced diet.
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