Essential English Vocabulary: Food, Idioms & More

Dairy

Relating to milk or to foods made using milk.

Deep-fried

(Of food) fried in oil that covers it.

Garlic

A vegetable like a small onion with a very strong taste and smell.

Gaze

To look at something or someone for a long time, especially in surprise or admiration, or because you are thinking about something else. (Synonym: stare)

Grow Out Of

To stop doing something as you get older.

Linger

To continue for longer than expected.

Moose

A large North American deer. (Spanish: alce)

Maggots

A creature like a very small worm that is found in decaying meat and other foods and later develops into a fly. (Synonym: larva)

Mixed Up

Confused; to think one thing is another thing.

Missing Out

Not getting a benefit that someone else gets.

Mash Up

(Talking about music) a mixture of styles.

Mild

Mild food does not have a strong taste.

Overwhelming

Too much to cope with.

Posh

Elegant or luxurious. (Spanish: pijo)

Example: "He takes her to some really posh restaurants."

Poke Through

To stick out.

Persuaded

Caused to do something; convinced.

Put Somebody Off

To prevent someone from doing something.

Pastry

A dough of flour, water, and shortening, used for pies, tarts, etc. (Spanish: masa)

Example: "I'll send you the recipe of my cookie pastry; it is always delicious."

Rotten

Very bad or decayed.

Roll Off

To cause to turn and fall.

Steamed

Cooked by being placed in steam. (Spanish: al vapor)

Seasoned

Flavored with salt, herbs, or spices.

Example: "The salad needs to be seasoned; maybe a little salt and olive oil can be enough."

Stewed

Cooked slowly in a small amount of liquid.

Savoury

Having a usually salty, but not sweet, taste. (Spanish: salado)

Source

Origin, beginning.

Sauce

A liquid or semi-liquid mixture served with food to add flavor, moisture, or visual appeal. Example: "A sauce made from soya beans, used in Chinese cooking."

Smelly

Having a very strong, unpleasant smell; malodorous. (Spanish: un olor muy fuerte)

Synaesthesia

A strange feeling that makes one see sounds or hear colors.

Stunning

Strikingly beautiful.

Stage

A raised performance area.

Slow-paced

Not fast-moving.

Slight

Small and not very important.

Tender

(Of meat) soft and easy to bite through.

Tinned

Tinned food is sold in metal containers.

Tasty

Having lots of enjoyable flavor.

Turn Out

To be discovered to be something.

Turned Out

To be present or attend; to conclude.

Up-tempo

Having a fast rhythm.

Venue

The scene or locale of any action or event.